John Mortimer In His Own Words

Jan 10, 2025 9:20 PM

Author:John Mortimer,John Mortimer

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, John Mortimer, creator of the much-loved Rumpole of the Bailey, talks about his life and career as a barrister, screenwriter and novelist.

The interviews included are: Desert Island Discs, first broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 January 1968 (featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson, first broadcast BBC One, 31 October 1979 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Portrait, first broadcast BBC Two, 23 October 1989 (featuring Ludovic Kennedy) and In Touch, first broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 December 1998 (featuring Peter White).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

Reviews

The Curious Room brims with life...Fear, desire and mischievous wonder blend to make her work irresistible.

—— Tom Adair , Scotland on Sunday

Carter knew all about making images work in theatre. The proof is here, on the printed page...One of the pleasures of this book is watching a writer's imagination translate itself into visual and aural effects. We're allowed backstage, to peep at the wonderous machines of illusion.

—— Michele Roberts , The Times

4 Stars

—— Heat

This book is hilarious, honest and entertaining! Highly recommended

—— Gary Lineker

Richly funny and entertaining..some of it reads like a big, gay Bond thriller; other bits are pure, pungent travelogue

—— Mojo

Given Napier-Bell's hedonistic life in Eighties London, his diverse circle of acquaintances and his pithy, lively writing style, this book could hardly fail to entertain

—— Observer

There [are] fascinating passages about the bands producers: Troy Tate, John Porter, Stephen Street. Pages on the members’ childhood add meaningful context, and there are some thrilling glimpses of the Smiths on tour.

—— Independent

The story itself is riveting and Fletcher tells it lucidly and fairly. The drive to continue reading is provided by Marr’s no-nonsense spirit and by Morrissey’s eminently quotable lyrics and interviews.

—— Irish Times

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