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  • Rumpole of the Bailey [Recorded Books]

  • By: John Mortimer
  • Narrated by: Patrick Tull
  • Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (89 ratings)
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Rumpole of the Bailey [Recorded Books] cover art

Rumpole of the Bailey [Recorded Books]

By: John Mortimer
Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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Summary

In the first of six witty short stories, 60s-something English barrister, Horace Rumpole, takes on the younger generation both at home and in the hallowed courtroom—while offending his esteemed colleagues and his draconian wife, Hilda.

©1978 Advanpress Ltd. (P)1993 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about Rumpole of the Bailey [Recorded Books]

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Please bring back Bill Wallis!

Would you try another book written by John Mortimer or narrated by Patrick Tull?

No

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Patrick Tull?

Bill Wallis

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story is good, but the Bill Wallis version is much better.

Any additional comments?

I accidentally purchased this audiobook recommended by Audible.co.uk and found that I had already listened to it, but narrated by Bill Wallis. I only listed to 5 minutes of this, but the narration was painful: it sounded pompous and hesitant.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Extra Points for the Audio

This was my first encounter with "Rumpole", and I loved it! While the criminal plots in these stories are not terribly sophisticated or suspenseful, the humour and sociological observations are sharp as nails. Patrick Tull's narration is marvelous. He wallows in the language and brings the disparate cast of characters to life. Rumpole's deeply ironic persepctive is far better appreciated when heard, than merely read silently.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cracking Audiobook !

Great stories, we'll narrated and looking forward to buying the rest of the set, brings back some great memories !

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Courting disaster has never been so funny

Witty, of an era but, at the same time, timeless. Well read, well written and a real pleasure to listen to. Eminently re-readable.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Droll

Being of an age when I watched Leo Mckern play Rumpole on tv, I found this narrator a real pleasure to listen to - superb!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Highly amusing

Loved it.
Great use of the English language.
Rumplole at his best.
On to book 2

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A comforting and absorbing listen

You can always rely on the Rumpole stories for a fun listen. Rumpole is the sort of reassuring presence that you always want to spend time with, and Patrick Tull does a fine job narrating.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How funny this is still. Excellent.

Horace Rumpole is a classic character, perfectly portrayed by John Mortimer. I have read these stories many times, and they never fail to make me laugh. Beautifully read.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not a very good narration.

I struggled with the narrator. Rather strident and off putting. The stories are engaging and enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great short stories

Read very well
useful to have short stories as fitted in with household jobs. Amusing stories that still hold up well today.

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