I would like my life to be 5% more golden so I am most certainly finding time this summer to give some of her books a read (criminal that I haven’t already, I know!). The prologue is wonderful as always, Pandora.
I’m 41 and have just finished reading the Rutshire Chronicles for the very first time! It’s been an utter joy and now I won’t shut up about them. I think this is my Lord of the Rings. I now truly believe Jilly Cooper is a literary genius. When is it acceptable to start reading them all over again??
I recently read Riders for the first time and it was great I loved it (and immediately read Polo because I could not bear to leave Jilly Cooper world!).
I do however have a problem with Rupert C-B being described as a ‘hero’ and ‘renowned hear throb’. I think the most despicable super villain ever to be written is more appropriate. I was expecting him to be a fun sexy Daniel Cleaver type but I’ve honestly never hated a fictional character so much - it was kind of stressful!
He just gets worse and worse as the book goes on and should be in jail for the things he did to Helen, I so desperately wanted him to get his comeuppance!!
i agree, he is problematic. fun fact is that she wrote him to be a villain but then fell in love with him so gradually redeemed him over the rutshire chronicles. But the way he treats helen is appalling. thing to remember i guess with al these things is that it's 40 years old. i read 'brother of the more famous jack' the other day and was appalled. ditto, the rachel papers. and so on. a lot of really quite sexually and verbally abusive men... rape was referred to appallingly casually. thank GOD things have changed (ish)
Ah that does put a different spin on it knowing he was originally written as a villain!
And yeah I do find it comforting reading older things and realising that times have changed for the better in a lot of ways. See also Tory - by far the nicest character in Riders - constantly “hefting her 11 stone (!!!) bulk around” 🫣
Totally. It’s like the weight stuff in Bridget Jones. Agony to read. But always reminds us how NORMAL it was and how great it isn’t now (not that I think it’s we are in a necessarily more body positive time — see the Skinni Societe etc)
I think the bird is a snipe judging by the long beak. Based on that I would make the assumption that the dog is a gundog rather than a hound- it looks more like a spaniel's slightly full tail rather than a hound's stern too.
I had much the same experience growing up, except I was asked by our local librarian if I was allowed to read these books, to which I replied, “oh yes, I’ve finished all of my mum’s”.
A fantastic prologue Pandora, I loved it, as I do all your writing.
Can’t wait to snatch up a copy! To say she provided a formative education in many areas is an understatement. She is a joy, even her descriptions on nature are beautiful to read. The brooch is stunning! Well done you! ❤️
just laughed at how Waterstones describes this new edition has having “exclusive flaps” (because im a child) x
that’s very Cooperian of them, I approve
I would like my life to be 5% more golden so I am most certainly finding time this summer to give some of her books a read (criminal that I haven’t already, I know!). The prologue is wonderful as always, Pandora.
I’m 41 and have just finished reading the Rutshire Chronicles for the very first time! It’s been an utter joy and now I won’t shut up about them. I think this is my Lord of the Rings. I now truly believe Jilly Cooper is a literary genius. When is it acceptable to start reading them all over again??
hahhaha it's my lord of the rings, too
She really is utterly obsessed with quite rightly! And she's inspired me to read them again - just in time for the new edition.
🤣❤️
Adore this!!! 🌸🌸🌸 That’s it, I’m buying a copy!
GOOD CHOICE
I recently read Riders for the first time and it was great I loved it (and immediately read Polo because I could not bear to leave Jilly Cooper world!).
I do however have a problem with Rupert C-B being described as a ‘hero’ and ‘renowned hear throb’. I think the most despicable super villain ever to be written is more appropriate. I was expecting him to be a fun sexy Daniel Cleaver type but I’ve honestly never hated a fictional character so much - it was kind of stressful!
He just gets worse and worse as the book goes on and should be in jail for the things he did to Helen, I so desperately wanted him to get his comeuppance!!
i agree, he is problematic. fun fact is that she wrote him to be a villain but then fell in love with him so gradually redeemed him over the rutshire chronicles. But the way he treats helen is appalling. thing to remember i guess with al these things is that it's 40 years old. i read 'brother of the more famous jack' the other day and was appalled. ditto, the rachel papers. and so on. a lot of really quite sexually and verbally abusive men... rape was referred to appallingly casually. thank GOD things have changed (ish)
Ah that does put a different spin on it knowing he was originally written as a villain!
And yeah I do find it comforting reading older things and realising that times have changed for the better in a lot of ways. See also Tory - by far the nicest character in Riders - constantly “hefting her 11 stone (!!!) bulk around” 🫣
Totally. It’s like the weight stuff in Bridget Jones. Agony to read. But always reminds us how NORMAL it was and how great it isn’t now (not that I think it’s we are in a necessarily more body positive time — see the Skinni Societe etc)
Sheer heaven! I’m taking my copy to read whilst wandering across the valley through the water meadows in my nightie! 😎🥂🍾
Oh Jill! What joy. I read yours in much the same manner
I think the bird is a snipe judging by the long beak. Based on that I would make the assumption that the dog is a gundog rather than a hound- it looks more like a spaniel's slightly full tail rather than a hound's stern too.
Oh the joy of having such knowledgeable readers! Thank you so much
I had much the same experience growing up, except I was asked by our local librarian if I was allowed to read these books, to which I replied, “oh yes, I’ve finished all of my mum’s”.
A fantastic prologue Pandora, I loved it, as I do all your writing.
Hahah that’s a very Matilda moment. J’adore
😂😂❤️
Can’t wait to snatch up a copy! To say she provided a formative education in many areas is an understatement. She is a joy, even her descriptions on nature are beautiful to read. The brooch is stunning! Well done you! ❤️
So thrilled for you Pandora! What a pinch-me moment
I'm planning to read every single book after watching the TV show Rivals. What a ride!
What a gorgeous full circle moment for baby Pandora !!
Will buy!😊 And the brooch is stunning!
First read my Mums copy when I was also about 11 and was enthralled!!
Going to send this to any Jilly sceptics. “It is a world of Tatler and taffeta; stallions and shagging” is perfect.
Okay now I'm excited to read this!