Old Filth by Jane Graham

Old Filth, Master of the Inner Temple, skilled exponent? of the law, Sir Edward Feathers a child of 'The Raj' or the British institution of sending your child back to be educated.  The brutalizing effect of separation of child from family for years at a time.  This disconnect from family makes a child self-reliant, self contained and reserved - all characteristics of Sir Edward and other protagonists in this engrossing story.  The story slowly revealed what made these characters tick.  The 'murder' of an abusive foster parent, the resignation and acceptance of his lack of emotional life, little pieces of his wife, her character and her alternate life that he barely comprehended.  
A different age and different sensibilities, this treatment of a child would certainly constitute abandonment and child abuse now-a-days.  A study in the aging process.  A quiet novel of perception and or lack of it!  The story is slowly revealed with tragicomic timing.

Another book that created a good discussion on the character of begin British - was it the schools, or the lack of family.  Is a stiff upper lip a result of neglect.  Boarding school - friends for life or a hell to be endured.  

Words used to describe it:   damaged, stiff-upper-lipped, want more, thought provoking, lots of loose ends.

Marks out of 10:   all 8 except 1 who marked it 7!

Next book 

Fat Chance by Simon Gray

Next Meeting

Thursday April 7th

at 130 Harbord St