Secondhand Literary Classics & Rumpole Bargain Book Box DSH1045

Secondhand Literary Classics & Rumpole Bargain Book Box

This eclectic collection of twenty-four books features a delightful mix of legal humor, modern classics, and timeless adventure. The box is headlined by a magnificent seven-volume run of John Mortimer’s Rumpole of the Bailey series, capturing the wit and trials of the Old Bailey’s most beloved barrister. Alongside these are heavyweights of 20th-century literature like Steinbeck, Hemingway, and Kafka, as well as the dark humor of Roald Dahl and the comic escapades of Jerome K. Jerome. From the high seas with Hornblower to the dusty roads of the American West, this set offers a rich and varied reading list for the discerning bibliophile. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Trials of Rumpole by John Mortimer Horace Rumpole, the claret-drinking barrister, defends a diverse cast of eccentrics and petty criminals at the Old Bailey. John Mortimer captures the wit and absurdity of the legal system through Rumpole's cynical yet humane perspective. The stories celebrate the small victories of the downtrodden against the majesty of the law.

2. Rumpole's Return by John Mortimer After a brief and unhappy retirement in Florida, Rumpole hurries back to London to take on a new case involving bloodstains and religious cults. He battles his formidable wife, Hilda, and his chamber colleagues to reclaim his rightful place at the bar. It is a triumphant comeback for the defender of the presumption of innocence.

3. Rumpole and the Golden Thread by John Mortimer Rumpole travels to Africa to defend a former student accused of murder, facing political pressure and the stifling heat of the tropics. The stories highlight his unwavering belief in the Golden Thread of British justice: the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. Mortimer blends exotic settings with the familiar comfort of courtroom banter.

4. Rumpole's Last Case by John Mortimer The indomitable barrister faces personal and professional challenges as he contemplates the end of his career, though retirement never quite sticks. He takes on cases involving blind wine tastings and family feuds, proving his sharp mind is untouched by age. The narrative explores the inevitability of change in the legal profession.

5. Rumpole and the Age of Miracles by John Mortimer In a changing world of political correctness and modernizing courts, Rumpole fights to maintain his old-fashioned methods and love for justice. He defends an aristocrat accused of adultery and uncovers secrets in a retirement home, armed only with poetry and cigar smoke. It is a satirical look at the clash between tradition and progress.

6. Rumpole for the Defence by John Mortimer Rumpole takes on a series of tricky cases, from defending a doctor accused of murder to navigating a divorce case with peculiar circumstances. Throughout it all, he quotes Wordsworth and dodges the wrath of "She Who Must Be Obeyed" with signature charm. This collection reinforces his reputation as the champion of the underdog.

7. Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer This collection introduces the beloved Old Bailey hack, showcasing his most famous early triumphs in the courtroom. From murder to shoplifting, Rumpole defends the accused with his unique blend of legal cunning and subversive humor. It establishes the iconic character who became a fixture of British television and literature.

8. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark Set in 1930s Edinburgh, an eccentric teacher selects a group of six girls to mold in her own image, imparting her unconventional views on art and fascism. Muriel Spark explores the destructive power of influence and betrayal within the intense microcosm of a girls' school. It is a sharp, psychological portrait of a woman in her prime.

9. John Macnab by John Buchan Three bored and successful men suffering from ennui decide to challenge themselves by poaching on three Scottish estates under the collective pseudonym John Macnab. John Buchan delivers a spirited adventure story celebrating sportsmanship, the outdoors, and the thrill of the chase. It is a lighthearted romp that contrasts with his spy thrillers.

10. The Island of Sheep by John Buchan Richard Hannay returns to fulfill an old promise to a friend, protecting his son from a vendetta that leads them to the desolate Norlands. The adventure moves from the English countryside to the rugged northern islands, pitting Hannay against ruthless treasure hunters. It combines domestic warmth with high-stakes action.

11. The Trial by Franz Kafka Josef K. is arrested by unidentified agents for an unspecified crime and must navigate a nightmarish and opaque judicial bureaucracy. Franz Kafka’s masterpiece is a surreal and terrifying parable about guilt, alienation, and the crushing power of the totalitarian state. It remains a definitive text on the absurdity of modern existence.

12. Mr Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester This collection of short stories charts the early career of Horatio Hornblower as he rises from a seasick novice to a capable officer in the Royal Navy. C.S. Forester depicts the harsh realities of life at sea during the Napoleonic Wars and the development of a complex hero. It is the beginning of one of the greatest naval sagas ever written.

13. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway Robert Jordan, an American volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, is tasked with blowing up a bridge to stop a fascist advance. Ernest Hemingway captures the brutality of war, the intensity of love found in desperate times, and the tragedy of a lost cause. The novel is a powerful meditation on loyalty, sacrifice, and death.

14. Little Big Man by Thomas Berger Jack Crabb, a 111-year-old survivor, recounts his incredible life moving between white civilization and the Cheyenne nation in the Old West. Thomas Berger writes a picaresque and satirical revisionist western that debunks myths while telling a grand, adventurous tale. It is a humorous yet poignant look at American history.

15. Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl Roald Dahl presents a collection of macabre and twisted short stories that peel back the veneer of ordinary life to reveal the darkness underneath. Famous for their shock endings, these tales explore revenge, greed, and betting, including the classic "Man from the South." It demonstrates Dahl’s mastery of suspense for an adult audience.

16. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck The Joad family is driven from their Oklahoma farm by the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, migrating west to California in search of work. John Steinbeck’s epic novel is a powerful indictment of social injustice and a testament to the endurance of the human spirit. It paints a stark picture of the American struggle for dignity.

17. The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh Dennis Barlow finds work at a pet cemetery in Los Angeles and becomes entangled in the grotesque world of the Whispering Glades funeral home. Evelyn Waugh satirizes the American commercialization of death and the clash between British cynicism and Hollywood artificiality. It is a biting, macabre comedy about the funeral industry.

18. Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier Lady Dona St. Columb flees London society for her estate in Cornwall, where she falls in love with a dashing French pirate. Daphne du Maurier weaves a romantic adventure of escapism, danger, and a woman discovering her desire for freedom outside societal norms. It captures the atmosphere of the Cornish coast with lush storytelling.

19. Cooper's Creek by Alan Moorehead Alan Moorehead recounts the tragic Burke and Wills expedition, the ill-fated attempt to cross the Australian continent from south to north. The book details the harsh beauty of the outback, the errors in leadership, and the suffering of the explorers in a hostile land. It is a compelling historical narrative of ambition and failure.

20. Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome In this sequel to Three Men in a Boat, the trio of friends embarks on a cycling tour through the Black Forest of Germany. Jerome K. Jerome combines travelogue with humorous anecdotes about bicycle maintenance, German culture, and the mishaps of the English abroad. It captures the gentle, observational humor of the era.

21. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome J., George, and Harris decide to take a relaxing boating holiday up the River Thames, accompanied by the dog Montmorency. The trip is a series of comic disasters involving camping, cooking, and river navigation, remaining a timeless classic of English humor. It is a celebration of friendship and the absurdity of leisure.

22. The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Rudolf Rassendyll, an English gentleman, is forced to impersonate the King of Ruritania to save the monarch from a coup by his evil half-brother. Anthony Hope establishes the genre of Ruritanian romance, filled with sword fights, castles, and daring rescues. It is a quintessential swashbuckling adventure story.

23. More Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl A second volume of Roald Dahl’s dark and ingenious short stories, featuring characters who find themselves in bizarre and often cruel situations. The collection showcases Dahl’s mastery of suspense and his ability to deliver a stinging punchline at the very end. The stories are as unsettling as they are entertaining.

24. Tirra Lirra by the River by Jessica Anderson Nora Porteous returns to her childhood home in rural Australia, reflecting on a life spent escaping the limitations placed on women. Jessica Anderson’s novel is a lyrical and introspective study of memory, artistic ambition, and the search for a sense of self. It paints a vivid picture of the Australian landscape and domestic life.