John Mortimer, The Devil's Advocate. The Unauthorised Biography. (2005)
At the spur of the moment, at the last BBW book fair, picked up this hard cover for a song. I thought then it would comprise a collection of landmark legal cases. As it turned out, John Mortimer was a Queen's Counsel alright but he was more well known for his antics outside the courts, namely the theatre and extra matrimonial activities.
Born in England to a barrister father who dealt with divorce cases and eventually became blind, he was enrolled in a boarding school. Unfit to partake in physical activities, he dwell in writing and theatrics. Even though he was initially a shy boy, he overcame his shortage in the looks department with his wit and charm. He became a woman's man. Given the lackadaisical morals of the swinging post war years, he was romping every person with an extra X chromosome.
Whilst still married to Penelope, who was married when they started an affair earlier, he continued his blue bearded lifestyle.
In spite of his active social life, he graduated as a lawyer and be called to the Bar.
His interest in writing continued and he became a prolific writer of screenplays and books. Interestingly, Penelope was an established author. John's affairs brought many unhappiness to his fragile marriage and Penelope brittle psychology. The many upheavals they had in the family was the theme of many of his plays. Actually all the things that are seen in his plays are actually reminiscent of what was happening in his daily life! Masala in real life!
His continued infidelity drove Penelope to brink of insanity. John's idea of marriage is to accept his clandestine romps without batting an eyelid!
His legal work notoriously involved him defending many cases that were deemed to affect morality of the society. He and his generation were accused of decadence of British social mores and decency, hence the title of 'Devil's Advocate'. He successfully defended a thrashy tabloid which published smut for teenagers under the guise of health education. Even Richard Branson and The Sex Pistols were defended by him for an offence related to the use of the work 'bollocks' in their title of the first album. All in the name of right to self expression and freedom of speech.
He also defended Ben Jayakumar, the opposition politician in Singapore.
His marriage ended when he took a pretty young thing as wife who was young enough to be his daughter. Penelope's health took a dive for the worse. His tryst with an actress also produced a love child which he did not acknowledge decades later.
He continued authoring books and screenplays late into his twilight years. His name graced many films and TV dramas over the years.
The author of his biography was denied permission to write after two long interviews. That would explain why the book became an unauthorised version. In a way, the author looked at it as a blessing as he could tell the negative and low-down-dirty aspects of the subject.
Author: Graham Lord.
At the spur of the moment, at the last BBW book fair, picked up this hard cover for a song. I thought then it would comprise a collection of landmark legal cases. As it turned out, John Mortimer was a Queen's Counsel alright but he was more well known for his antics outside the courts, namely the theatre and extra matrimonial activities.Born in England to a barrister father who dealt with divorce cases and eventually became blind, he was enrolled in a boarding school. Unfit to partake in physical activities, he dwell in writing and theatrics. Even though he was initially a shy boy, he overcame his shortage in the looks department with his wit and charm. He became a woman's man. Given the lackadaisical morals of the swinging post war years, he was romping every person with an extra X chromosome.
Whilst still married to Penelope, who was married when they started an affair earlier, he continued his blue bearded lifestyle.
In spite of his active social life, he graduated as a lawyer and be called to the Bar.
His interest in writing continued and he became a prolific writer of screenplays and books. Interestingly, Penelope was an established author. John's affairs brought many unhappiness to his fragile marriage and Penelope brittle psychology. The many upheavals they had in the family was the theme of many of his plays. Actually all the things that are seen in his plays are actually reminiscent of what was happening in his daily life! Masala in real life!
His continued infidelity drove Penelope to brink of insanity. John's idea of marriage is to accept his clandestine romps without batting an eyelid!
His legal work notoriously involved him defending many cases that were deemed to affect morality of the society. He and his generation were accused of decadence of British social mores and decency, hence the title of 'Devil's Advocate'. He successfully defended a thrashy tabloid which published smut for teenagers under the guise of health education. Even Richard Branson and The Sex Pistols were defended by him for an offence related to the use of the work 'bollocks' in their title of the first album. All in the name of right to self expression and freedom of speech.He also defended Ben Jayakumar, the opposition politician in Singapore.
His marriage ended when he took a pretty young thing as wife who was young enough to be his daughter. Penelope's health took a dive for the worse. His tryst with an actress also produced a love child which he did not acknowledge decades later.
He continued authoring books and screenplays late into his twilight years. His name graced many films and TV dramas over the years.
The author of his biography was denied permission to write after two long interviews. That would explain why the book became an unauthorised version. In a way, the author looked at it as a blessing as he could tell the negative and low-down-dirty aspects of the subject.
