Felix in the Underworld

Rating:
Summary: Flawlessy funny
Review: A hapless middle-aged midlist author gets embroiled in the British legal system when he is accused of fathering a child and not paying support. You may need a certain amount of anglophilia and interest in the literary scene to fully appreciate it. The only fault I could find was that it's too short. I hate finishing books in one night before I fall asleep.

Rating:
Summary: A well-written, charming, and exciting mystery
Review: I first fell in love with the stories of John Mortimer through Rumpole of the Bailey and Summer's Lease. His talent for writing charming, intelligent characters continues in this book. The main character, Felix Morsom, is an author of rather unexciting books. It is, however, the criticism of this aspect of his stories that begins his adventures. When a mysterious tape, a forgotten acquaintance, and a small child all come tumbling into his life, Felix has no idea that he will go from comfortable home looking at the sea to wandering the streets to reading bestselling sports-themed romance novels in jail. The plot does not disappoint, and holds its own very well. Some events, such as Felix' foray into sleeping on the street could ring false, Felix (and Mortimer), though, pull it off in the end, making even the wildest adventures believable for this mild-mannered author. However, the real gem in this novel is not the well-written plot, but the way the reader gets to know Felix Morsom. His slightly blundering attempts at seducing his publicist as well as his dogged determination and amusing observations make him an entirely sympathetic character. All in all, 'Felix in the Underworld' is an enjoyable read, again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful and Filled With Surprises
Review: In his book The Joys of Yiddish, Leo Rosten sets out the distinction betwen a schlemiel (a fool) and a schlimazel (one prone to misfortune)thusly: A schlemiel is the waiter that trips while carrying a large bowl of soup to a table. The schlimazel is the person that ends up with the soup on his lap. Felx Morsom, the ptoagonist of Felix in the Underworld is the quintessential English schlimazel. Though not a fool, Felix plays an altogether passive role as misfortune falls upon him. The strength of Mortimer's book lies in his ability to portrary Felix in a charming, almost winsome manner while at the same time moving the story ahead in a plesant fashion. Mortimer has a keen eye for detail. The book is easy to read, amusing, and charming.

Rating:
Summary: Be careful what you say
Review: There are many things to like about this book, most of which are described well by the other reviewers. What really struck me about this book (perhaps because I listened to the unabridged tape) was how so much of the plot turned on what happens when a writer is less than precise with language. Mortimer does a masterful job of creating Felix, a writer who doesn't even realize that his misstatements are misstatements or the trouble those statements cause.

Overall, it took me a while to warm up to the book but by the end I was rooting hard for the truth to emerge. The actual ending was a little corny but ok. It's a book filled with a fun assortment of characters. More than a few humorous jabs are made at the modern publishing world and modern society in general. Not a laugh out loud book but one that made me chuckle to myself.

A New York Times notable mystery in 1997 - for those who are fond of books with credentials.