The other book I read while we were in Jamaica was Old Filth, by Jane Gardam. It was a great read too!

Old Filth is a very British book. The main character, Edward “Old Filth” Feathers, is nicknamed after the acronym he invented: Failed In London Try Hong Kong. At the beginning of the story he is an eightyish widow, and the story alternates between his present life and flashbacks starting with his early childhood.

Old Filth is a “Raj orphan” — a phrase I’d never heard until I read this book. Raj orphans were British children born in the far reaches of the Empire (in Old Filth’s case, Malaya). When they reached a not-very-old age (Old Filth was 4) they were sent “Home” to England, ostensibly to prevent them from getting tropical diseases, but in fact to prevent them from going native. Often these Raj orphans were sent to live with total strangers and in less-than-desirable living conditions. In Old Filth’s case, the deprivations and abuse he suffered at the hands of a foster mother colored the rest of his life. Furthermore, England never did come to feel like Home to him; he was always more comfortable in the East, and that’s where he spent most of his adult life (hence, the acronym).

I must admit, my experience of reading this book was heightened by the fact that I was reading it in Jamaica, which of course is also a former British colony. That whole aspect of being in Jamaica was very weird. Loved the beach, loved the weather, most definitely did not love being in a third world country. Felt very much the Ugly American. It helped to be reading about this fascinating man whose Home was in some ways not very different from my surroundings.

Old Filth is partly a psychological drama, in the sense that it explores how the protagonist’s life was affected by events of his early childhood. It’s also entertainment: there are many hilariously off-beat, unexpected characters, and lots of humor in the story too. And it is very much a picture of a time and place: England, during the wane of the British Empire. That’s what I liked best about it. I doubt anyone would call this “historical fiction” because the time period is so recent, but if you are interested in WWII-era Britain you will definitely like this. And if you happen to be in Jamaica, all the better.