The Pupil

Caper Court #1

by Caro Fraser

This is a novel about rivalry at work between Anthony Cross-poor but briliantly clever and Edward Choke-rich but thick as two short planks.Only one of these men can be awarded the coveted tenancy at the end of their pupillage..funny & touching

Genres: Fiction, Queer, Contemporary, LGBT

250 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 1994

About the author

Caroline Georgiana ("Caro") Fraser was a novelist.

Fraser began her career as an advertising copywriter. She became a commercial and maritime lawyer, and practised until 1992, when she became a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of a series of 3 books I have been given for Christmas set in a set of chambers in London's temple. It tells of the rivalry of 2 pupils striving to obtain the one tenancy - one is bright yet penniless and from a mixed background whereas the other is the gentrified nephew of the head of chambers. An easy read depicting life in the legal world - I shall be picking up the other two in the series shortly.

[James Quentin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has unfortunately aged like a loaf of bread rather than fine wine with references, fashions, and social norms of the post-Thatcher years of the early 90s, but is still a fun ride through the cloistered and exclusive world of barristers chambers in London.
The characters are richly drawn. The class divide/social mobility angle, while overdone at times, is convincingly written.

[Dannica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently I'm on a streak of reading books from the Yuletide Exchange tagset, it seems. There's a reason for that, though. I just think that nominating something for Yuletide is such a powerful recommendation. It's like the person's saying, "I like this book so much I will go begging random strangers to give me more of it", and it also usually indicates a strong sense of world or an ensemble cast. So I think it's a good way to find books.

Anyways. What genre even is this book? I picked it up bc I heard it was somewhat queer (which it was), but idk how I'd categorize it. It's not deep enough to be literary. Goodreads calls it contemporary (fair enough, though it's from 1994) and mystery (which is not accurate at all). I'd say... slice of life? Coming of age? Idk, but. The not very thrilling but still somehow interesting adventures of a dude who wants to be a classy lawyer but needs to do an apprenticeship. There.

What drew me to this book was the promise of a queer main character in Leo (without the novel being a romance), and I did like Leo, though in this book at least I wouldn't call him a main character (I hear he gets more major later in the series). He's the kind of guy who looks well put together and really is dignified but also is secretly very emotional. He's older than Anthony by quite a bit and he's quite charismatic. I also like that he seems to be bi rather than gay (I like bi MCs). His relationship with Anthony is very fraught and even at the end it's unclear exactly where they're at. Like, did they sleep together in that one chapter or just kiss a couple times and then go to bed? Are they going to be together in the next book or broken up bc they work together and Leo doesn't like mixing work and pleasure? And what exactly is their relationship anyways--I guess it seems romantic but there are some elements of it that are....not so much, besides which Anthony's sexual identity crisis is nowhere near resolved. And judging by the blurb for the next book, none of this is going to be resolved anytime soon. In fact it looks like it's gonna get worse!

Much of the tension of this book doesn't derive from that relationship, though, but from two other aspects. The first is the issue of money. Anthony basically has an unpaid internship right now but he's in social circles that force him to spend a lot of money he doesn't have, and it's constantly causing him stress. As a college student with no job, I related very hard. Honestly it caused me stress just reading it and if it had gotten much worse I might have quit the book. Fortunately by the end his money problems all turn out more or less all right.

The second aspect is Anthony's relationship with Julia, a woman his age, which is ongoing for most of the book, a relationship that forces Anthony to spend money (see above) and also causes a lot of stress because Julia tends to cheat. Here's one reason this book got three stars from me instead of four. Julia is one of two major female characters--the second is Bridget, Anthony's girlfriend at the beginning of the novel whom he breaks up with. Anthony cheats on Bridget, and then Julia cheats on Anthony, and both relationships are just not great. I couldn't empathize with either Bridget or Julia, or understand why Anthony liked Julia really. To be fair, much of the characterization in the novel for the men as well was shallow, given how much focus is put on Anthony and Leo, and the characters certainly all had their flaws. And maybe I shouldn't get annoyed every time a novel's main female character is an irritating and shallow girlfriend or wife but you know what? I do, and I will. I hope the sequel (if I read it) provides at least one female character with more depth.

Anyways, rant over. I did like this book and am considering buying the sequel. I'd have to get it in paperback, though--the sequel's ebook is too expensive for my taste :(

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually read mysteries, so this book was different for me. It was interesting with strange, snobby, selfish and unpleasant characters, except for the innocent, Anthony. The ending seemed to be a cliffhanger because I want to know what happens with Anthony. I suppose I’ll have to read the next book in the series.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first place I have found the order of the series. I have not read them in order but once you become hooked on "Leo Davies, Esq, the Lascivious" it almost (almost) does not matter because he is predictable and a serious bewigged sex-addicted louse in Silk. I love them. Fascinated by the British legal system (try to find a book explaining it) they are simply adult and some say Chick Lit. I won't substitute the word I would use instead of "chick" but they rhyme. I can picture Caper Court in my head so clearly and I see Leo as a drop dead gorgeous seducer of anything that will lay down. I hope little Oliver does not take after his father in this respect because it has led to the downfall of many a poor soul. Had I been the long suffering Rachel I would have been to the STD clinic weekly because Leo was a rake and hardly seemed the sort to practice safe sex. I was delighted when the Lloyd's case appeared because I had read, some time ago, how the Names, work and this was additional information. However I no longer think of Lloyds of London the same way ( about the same way I felt when I found out the Lord's Cricket Grounds were named for Thomas Lord and not some HRH Lord; or when Imran Khan retired). This is delicious series of fun and very learned information because Ms. Fraser knows her British law. The characters are so well drawn and convincing that it is hard to decide whether to drum Leo out of the corps or try to seduce him yourself. And finding them in order here was a wonderful bonus as I have bought some duplicates and now I know which ones I haven't read. But it is not necessary to read them in order. You will be hooked whichever one you read and want very much to read them all. And you should.

[Kate Millin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not like the characters in this story, and was not particularly taken with their stories. The main character Anthony was a bit of a wimp even if he had got a first I law. The mores of the barrister group and the wealthy young people were not mine which did not help. I did finish the book because I wanted to find out whether Anthony got the place as Junior Tenant in the chambers he is trained in. Other than that I was quite relieved to finish it.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading . enjoyable story and from a lawyers point of view covers the ups and downs of life at the bar.

[Gilden · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an annoying bunch of characters, I didn't really care what happened to any of them!

[Hanna Mi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The very first book I read in English :-D

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a change from John Grisham, to put it mildly. You can smell the ancient, leather bound books as we tour Caper Court chambers in London with our characters.

There is one pupillage available and two barristers: Anthony Cross and Edward Choke. QC Basil Bunting is the most senior member at Caper Court . Edward is his nephew. Sir Baz thinks nepotism will go unquestioned but he had reckoned without the hard working and highly competent Anthony Cross. Edward Choke is like the public persona of Boris Johnson; harmless buffoon who has always been indulged like a child because he is just so darn likeable. And rich. And white. And male. Anthony is poor, so we like him best.

Throw in the beautiful Julia, the charming, enigmatic Leo and a Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name and you have an engaging tale. I look forward to reading more in the series. I read a bit about Caro Fraser and she is goals: four children and a former practitioner of shipping law. Shipping law is a thing? Fraser has her characters dabble in shipping law and my admiration grew: anyone who can focus on that for more than ten minutes is amazing to me.

[Faith Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this absorbing brilliant read. The story of Anthony who is serving his year as a pupil in Caper's Court. He is an outsider from the start in a very exclusive boys club, working class, brilliant, but having to compete with Edward who has nepotism if not brains on his side. Anthony is a likeable character, not one given to meanness in competition. The story sees him open up to learning as much about himself, society and life as it does about the law.
This is the first book in a series which I hope to read more of in the future.

[Richard Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the 4th time I've read this since I bought it second-hand a few years after it was oublished, and I always forget how captivating it is. The thing this time round that struck me the most is that we're governed by the class this book rails against, those entitled people who think they are the elite, but who get to where they are through inherited money, connections, and cheating. Plus ça change.

[Nikki H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just re-read this after a gap of 20-odd years, and I’d forgotten how much I loved the Caper Court series back in the day. Some might find the scene-setting a bit slow, and the portrayal of the lives of the privileged young can at times set your teeth on edge. But the two main characters – Anthony and Leo – are marvellously portrayed, and the prominent theme of bisexuality adds a real interest.

[Fiona Pawsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

What a brilliant book. Loved the characters who came to life as the story ends it's way through the early trials as a pupil in chambers. Looking forward to reading more 😊

[Ruth Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a yarn about a working class barrister doing his pupilage at a prestige law firm in London. He's up against the nephew of the owner of the chambers so the cards are stacked against him.
Tales of 90s drunk and debauchery in London amongst the upper classes. I enjoyed it.

[PureVintageStar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, well written, characters well drawn, author's knowledge of the law enriches the narrative.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining romp through the life and loves of a pupil of The Bar in a London chamber.

[Christine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I do like a series and this one is a top drawer soap opera. Excellent characterisation with just enough law to make it interesting.
Next 3 instalments already on order!

[John Burgess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy undemanding and quick read.

[Fiona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish. Lazy, scattershot plotting. Badly paced. Too many adverbs and intensifiers. Cliched, caricatured characters. Unlikable, sour protagonist.

[Sherry Ledet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite style.

[Chlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of the book was the main character making stupid decisions, kind of frustrating. But when a *certain relationship in the book developed, I found it interesting.

[Jack Arline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book happens to be the first book that ive read till the end. It was quite interesting to read and keeps me turning pages non-stop. Looking forward to the second book of the series.

[Anthea Johnson]

This is the first volume of a series about a law firm at 5 Capel Court. Rather different, interesting and a page-turner. Look forward to reading more.

[Khirthikaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characterizations were brilliantly well-written but the author makes it clear she doesn't like certain characters.

[Ian Barron]

Enjoyed this. Very much of its time but that didn’t detract at all - in fancy enhanced it for me.

[Tejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather phenomenal exposition of a very difficult life at the Bar, with twists and turns at every step. Extremely fast-paced, especially past page 100. Very enjoyable read.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book- got me reading each page like my life and understanding depended on it- and it really did.
Story: Anthony Cross (the poor kid who's on scholarship hoping to get tenancy) and Edward Choke (Sir Basil's Nephew- who is lucky to be in a well off family- drinks and knows how to praise people to get them to do his work). Both boys are up for tenancy- but Edward being his uncle's favorite seems to have it easy and all set for him- and Anthony works hard to gain the trust and approval of the professionals at the Chambers.
I liked: Anthony's determination
I did not like:How Julia used him- just needing him to be with her and she could kiss and make out with Piers and Leo.
Award: 3 stars
Reason: Too much description of Sir Basil in the first 3 pages-it could throw a reader off,the dialogues are lively and you can feel Anthony sweat for the tenancy.
So: It's a book to read.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in the 'Caper Court' series about the lives of a group of lawyers in chambers in Temple. To be honest I picked up the first 3 novels in a 3 for a fiver deal and although perfectly entertaining (I finished off this one in a day) the book is slightly odd...with the novel flitting from the viewpoint of different characters at random. None of the characters are particularly likeable and are mostly cliches (poor intelligent pupil vs dull upper class braying toffs) and the women come off particularly badly (strange considering this has the feel of a chick lit book)...I'll persevere with the other two books but they'll have to up the quality if I'm to continue beyond them.

[Kate Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Caro Fraser when this book, her first, came out, and I have enjoyed all her books although they all have a dark, cynical humour to them--and no real happy endings. They all centre about English law and the world of barristers, which is something I know very little about. The Trustees and An Inheritance are probably my favourite books by her, but the whole Caper Court series is interesting, even if none of the characters, particularly the dangerously charming Leo, are likeable.