''Titmuss Regained'' is a novel by

John Mortimer Sir John Clifford Mortimer (21 April 1923 – 16 January 2009) was a British barrister, dramatist, screenwriter and author. He is best known for novels about a barrister named Horace Rumpole. Early life Mortimer was born in Hampstead, Londo ...

published in 1990. It is a sequel to his 1986 novel ''

Paradise Postponed ''Paradise Postponed'' (1986) is a British 11-episode TV serial based on the 1985 novel by writer John Mortimer. The series covered a span of 30 years of postwar British history, set in a small village. Plot The series explores the mystery of ...

''.

Plot synopsis

Leslie Titmuss returns to Rapstone village and will do whatever it takes to fit in with the highest levels of society. Married to his second wife, Jenny, he seeks to buy his first wife's country house. These plans are hampered by a real estate development that Leslie, due to his free market politics, can hardly oppose publicly.

Reception

In a 1990 book review in '' Kirkus Reviews,'' the review summarized; "Mortimer is a writer of great charm, a master of light and shade who has done the next-to-impossible and produced a dull gray novel, devoid of subtlety. In Paradise Postponed, he kept a large cast effortlessly afloat, but here he drives his two principals grimly forward, while giving short shrift to everybody else. Too bad." In reviewing the 2011 reissue, Robert Plunket of the ''New York Times'' called it "a classic comedy of political manners" and "a delightful book, funny, wise and ultimately very sad. If Mr. Mortimer doesn't quite turn the whole thing into the tour de force it almost is, it is not through lack of effort."

Adaptation

Thames TV adapted the book for a television series released in 1991, starring

Kristin Scott Thomas Dame Kristin Ann Scott Thomas (born 24 May 1960) is a British actress who also holds French citizenship. A five-time BAFTA Award and Olivier Award nominee, she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for '' Four Weddings an ...

and

David Threlfall David John Threlfall (born 12 October 1953) is an English stage, film and television actor and director. He is best known for playing Frank Gallagher in Channel 4's series '' Shameless''. He has also directed several episodes of the show. In A ...

References

External links

* {{John Mortimer 1990 British novels Works by John Mortimer 1991 British television series debuts 1991 British television series endings 1990s British drama television series 1990s British television miniseries ITV television dramas Television shows based on British novels Period television series Television shows produced by Thames Television Television series by Fremantle (company) English-language television shows Television series about Christian religious leaders Viking Press books