Journal Entry 1 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Thursday, September 28, 2006

Synopsis:

FILTH, in his heyday, was an international lawyer with a practice in the Far East. Now, only the oldest QCs and Silks can remember that his nickname stood for Failed In London Try Hong Kong. Long ago, Old Filth was a Raj orphan - one of the many young children sent 'Home' from the East to be fostered and educated in England. Jane Gardam's new novel tells his story, from his birth in what was then Malaya to the extremities of his old age. Brilliantly constructed - going backwards and forwards in time, yet constantly working towards the secret at its core - OLD FILTH is funny and heart-breaking, witty and peopled with characters who astonish, dismay and delight the reader. Jane Gardam is as sensitive to the 'jungle' within children as she is to the eccentricities of the old. A touch of magic combines with compassion, humour and delicacy to make OLD FILTH a genuine masterpiece.
 

Journal Entry 2 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 12, 2008

RES for wishlist relay - will be posting to crimson-tide shortly!

Ack! I'm a sloth! I thought this went out ages ago, but just found it all bundled up and ready...sitting on my bookshelf! I'll pop it in the post this week without fail! Sorry for the delay!! 

Journal Entry 3 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Friday, May 23, 2008

I've been away for a few weeks and this was waiting for me on my return - thanks very much cats-eye. And there is certainly no need to apologise . . . it's not as if I don't have enough books to keep me going . . . for a few years at least!! hehehe

Received as part of the "International Reverse Wishlist Relay" on BookObsessed. 

Journal Entry 4 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Currently reading with my local book group.
Then reserved for the OZ VBB.

Shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2005. 

Journal Entry 5 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Sunday, August 09, 2009

Jane Gardam has written a poignant and thoughtful book in 'Old Filth'. She has the ability to use an economy of words to draw very rich characters and scenes. How little we know of people sometimes, and of what shapes their lives, their actions and their personalities! She writes very tenderly about old age, regret and memories. The book was so well constructed that even though it moved about all over the place time-wise, as a reader you hardly noticed it. I also learned something about the Raj orphans - I had no idea that they were sent away from their parents at such a very young age.

My major quibble would have to be with the title. I know it's an acronym: 'Failed In London Try Hong Kong', and I know it is ironic in both it's literal and acronymic sense, but even so it's just awful!
 

Journal Entry 6 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Friday, February 12, 2010

No-one picked it out from the OZVBB (surprisingly), so it's been mooched and off to the USA. 

Journal Entry 7 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Friday, February 12, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (2/11/2010 UTC) at Balingup, Western Australia Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted off to a moocher in IL, USA.