The
Old Filth (Filth:
Failed In London Try Hong Kong) of the book is
Sir Edward Feathers, lawyer
and judge, who is
born in Malaysia some years after the Great War. As
a very small child, he is
sent back to England on his
own to be fostered
out and educated. His
life winds through rejection, abuse, war, marriage
and what is obviously a
brilliant career (he definitely did not fail in London), but which, in the end, is summed up by a judge: '…
difficult to say exactly what he'd done… '
Eddie's
life is told in flashbacks without
any chronology. Like a painting, his life is built up in layers –
sometimes the author hesitates at one particular point or at one
particular colour before hopping over layers and years to investigate
a completely different point or a completely different colour. Strange to say, the method
works, and there is no confusion or irritation. Bit by bit Sir Edward
Feathers fills out and becomes a well-rounded, believable
character.
This
is a book about a particular period in English history; it is also a book about
survival. Most importantly, it is a book about our need to feel loved
and to belong. Beautifully
written, it is a book that should not be missed.
