Sir Edward Feathers is a retired judge of the Inner Temple, recently widowed and living in Dorset.

Feathers looks back over the story of his life, from his early years in the British Raj to his legal career.

[1] The Independent praised Gardam's ability to create "humorous and touching" characters and sharp dialogue, comparing the novel favourably to Paul Scott's Staying On.

[3] The New York Times suggested Old Filth had the potential to improve Gardam's popularity in the United States.

[4] In 2015, a BBC survey of literary critics from outside the UK ranked Old Filth among the 100 greatest British novels.