A masterpieced hyjacked by its title

It would be hard to imagine a less attractive title to a book.  Obviously the publisher did not request input from a focus-group on the title.  And, that may be the reason that Old Filth has yet to be the best seller it deserves to be.  From the moment I began reading this book, assigned as it was by my reading group, I was entranced. 

Filth, it must be said, stands for 'Failed In London, Tried Hong Kong' and it's the name the central character, a retired judge, comes up with for himself.  Luckily the reader learns this important fact at the beginning.  The rest of the story is a mesmerizing dizzying denouement of the story behind the nickname.

The author frequently writes a scene as through from a screenplay, moving the story along by flawless dialog, or descriptive passages that force the reader to pause with delight and amazement.  I read the Kindle edition (and I do object to the higher cost for that edition), but I found the dictionary feature essential.  This author is British and not only uses British expressions I'm unfamiliar with, but also uses many literary words not common in my general usage. (That reminds me of how dumbed-down most American writing has become.)   With the enriched vocabulary there are wonderful, evocative descriptions throughout the book, but not one unnecessary word.

The story jumps around in time and place and character's point of view.  The result is a suspenseful examination of a fascinating character and the particular milieu in which he lived.  I have wandered around former British colonies in Asia quite a bit myself and recognize the Raj Orphans/ex-pats and their predicaments in this story. What a magnificent book!