A voyage round my father ; The dock brief ; What shall we tell Caroline?
(Book)

A Voyage Round My Father is a funny, subtle, touching portrait of his father's enigmatic endurance.

A Voyage Round My Father: John Mortimer's autobiographical play is the affectionate portrait of a son's relationship with his father. Growing up in the shadow of the brilliant barrister, who adored his garden and hated visitors, and whose blindness was never mentioned, the son continually yearns for his father's love and respect.

The Dock Brief: A seedy lawyer has been waiting for years to make a grandstand defense. He is assigned to defend an innocuous little man accused of murdering his wife. The man cheerfully admits his guilt; he simply couldn't stand his wife's constant joking and laughing. The trial ends and the verdict is a foregone conclusion. The lawyer begs his client to let him appeal. Ironically the man is reprieved because of the ineptitude of his defense.

What Shall We Tell Caroline?: On Caroline's 18th birthday her parents realize they must tell her something: but what? They themselves know very little about life. Father is the headmaster of a small boys' school who treats mother like a good chap. Mother for her part responds good naturedly to the harmless advances of the assistant headmaster, who is himself well over the hill. Caroline is a strange and silent girl, but has been secretly growing up. Before they can tell her anything, she tells them she is leaving to enter her own life.

Also issued online.

BSLW RECAT 2023