Aged 65, I can now begin to imagine why one might resort to a device to get socks on, this being an episode among many recounted by John Mortimer that is, at once, funny and poignant. It must be shocking, though, to find that falling over, bumping into objects and people, and the marked decline in faculties, not least those that keep one continent, has become part of daily life.

Mortimer’s achievement in “Summer of a Doormouse” is to observe and describe his decline but, also, to remind us of his life as writer of a good many works as well as the Rumpole stories, barrister, public figure, chair of high-profile committees and institutions, and someone who knew many people, famous and not well known other than as relatives, friends and acquaintances of John Mortimer. Although no autobiography is objective, Mortimer’s account of a phase of his later life manages to convey the intermittent fear of dying while continuing to live on. “The Summer of a Doormouse” also manages to cover plenty that is of considerable national and international worth without being an advertisement for himself or a settling of scores. However, there isn’t any reluctance in having a say on politicians – more those of the New Labour era than of Conservatives because he clearly feels both betrayed by Tony Blair et al and affronted by the way in which they occupied the public sphere: “the feeling of having waited so long for a powerful Labour government, which would improve social justice, care for public services, nurture the arts and protect civil liberties, only to get one whose ideas of justice can be dictated by focus groups and last week's headlines.” Even when a certain perverseness characterizes his libertarian outlook, Mortimer is worth listening to – literally in this audiobook, which has an added value in helping us to remember him and why he matters to British public life following his death in 2009.

Entertaining reflection on his life, the interesting people he has met, and how dealing with old age infirmities can be a cross to bear, but many times enlightening.

An enjoyable meander through the musings of Mortimer in old age

John Mortimer couldn't write a bad book, and there's a fair bit to enjoy in this. His love of celebrities and dubious anecdotes do pall a bit in it, though, and some of it reads like filler for a series of articles rather than a coherent book. Colette did old age better; many have done it worse. I want to praise it with faint damns.

The man is a genius. Getting older is a bit of a mixed experience, but it has not blunted Mortimer's wit one iota. A wonderful interlude from the man who gave us Rumpole. For which I am truly grateful.

Many funny anecdotes based on real people. An excellent view of Mortimer’s thinking about the theatre arts, etc. Very accessible writing.
I read it based on BBC’s list of books to read at every age; however, I didn’t read The Hungry Caterpillar ‘TIL our first child-50yrs ago.