My dear friend Jim sent me [b:Old Filth|50284873|Old Filth|Jane Gardam|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578255525l/50284873._SY75_.jpg|36965]. What a treat! As a privileged but neglected child I lived with other families and often found myself described in this beautifully constructed tale. That Old Filth is such a clean man was not lost on me nor were many of the reversals of name that were woven into the text.

Half-way through, I realised the book had plunged me into a sombre, solitary mood which almost overwhelmed me. As an old man I felt even older and pretty much done for. I kept thinking of my friend Jim reading it in hospital. He had written to me

...suspended sick room time, still can’t stand up, reach for the book I’ve been reading, I’m near the end of my novel which is about memory, I’m at the bit when the old guy is lying in bed dying, delirious, remembering his early life and I’m lying in bed wondering about dying and confusing his memory with mine, did I marry someone named Betty and live Malaya? I don’t think so…. note to self, don’t read about old men dying when you’re an old man thinking about dying

Trying to explain the book to others I found myself saying it was part Somerset Maugham, part Conrad. Jane Gardam concludes with an acknowledgement to Kipling's autobiography. So maybe it's also part Kipling. I'm aware that Old Filth is the first of a triolgy. While I'll definitely be seeking out book #2 [b:The Man in the Wooden Hat|6570431|The Man in the Wooden Hat (Old Filth, #2)|Jane Gardam|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347802021l/6570431._SY75_.jpg|6763489] . Old Filth is a cleverly constructed tale by a gifted writer.
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Very good characters. Will look out for more books by this author! ( )

Old Filth (Failed in London tried Hong Kong) a Raj orphan who was left behind or abused by parental figures at a critical age. Although is successful professionally, he ruminates about his life during bouts of sadness or frustration. Great characters and his story is both sad and, at times, quite funny. Loved it .... writing and story are wonderful. ( )

I shall need to come back in 20 years and see if I don't give it 5 stars, it certainly was close. At times difficult, at times recognizable, and at times completely unfamiliar. ( )

Historical fiction gives us a window into understanding how the world came to be the way it is. Gardam encapsulates the collapse of the British Empire in this story of Edward, born in Malay to a bureaucrat still suffering from WWI injuries. Raised for four years by servants since his mother died of childbed fever, he is then sent off to an abusive foster home in Wales along with two cousins.
The tale is told by Edward, now in his '80's, as he tries to find meaning in his life after his wife's death. We are only given glimpses of his childhood; he slams the window shut on the painful memories as often as they poke through. Yet his strong sense of moral rightness and duty keeps him prying at his memories. It seems his youth was spent blindered, so focused on excelling in his studies that he is unaware of most facts of life. The absence of loving parents has kept him from really loving anyone. His sole memory of freedom is mixed with the shame of being evacuated from England at age 17 rather than being allowed to fight for his country. We hear other people commenting "you would do well as a lawyer", but we never hear him express any desire for any career. He is intelligent and courteous, therefore he is respected by all who know him.
This tale includes many thoughtful phrases which are a pleasure to read. Edward, "Old Filth", remained in my mind in between my reading opportunities. Louise Erdrich referenced study by a pair of social psychologists and the New School who found that reading complex literature increased a person's empathy. This book will work on you; it's a pity Old Filth never read literature.[https://www.newschool.edu/pressroom/pressreleases/2013/CastanoKidd.htm] ( )