RiP Jilly Cooper

[Daphnedot]

So bloody sad 😢

Interestingly I believe completely the opposite. I tend to disagree with people when they put her books in the same ‘bonkbuster’ category as Danielle Steele, Barbara Cartland etc.

Whilst her books did have a fair amount of sex in them, what stood out to me was how well researched and detailed they were, with stories spanning decades of characters. It’s thanks to Jilly I can now hold my own in a conversation about Polo or orchestras.

Loved her writing, fiction and nonfiction.
I really do feel quite sad.
My top four:
Rivals
Riders
Emily (the one I read first)
The British in Love (introduced me to a lot of favourite poems)
(Have to say, I don't remember her on cooking programmes of the 90s, tasting wine and recommending which one went with which dish as mentioned by a PP.
Could that be Jilly Goolden?)

At an all girls full boarding school in the eighties her novels were an absolutely vital part of our extra curricular education 😆- well thumbed copies of Pandora, Imogen et al did the rounds and of course we all went on to fall in love with RCB. Good times!

Interesting that I certainly never fell in love with RCB, he’s awful! If he’s really based on what’s it Parker Bowles, all the more so. Billy on the other hand…

So sad…as a Gen x I learnt all about sex from jilly cooper and Jackie Collins novels

I feel genuine sadness over her passing too. Her books were such a huge part of my teenage years and I’ve read and re-read the Rutshire Chronicles throughout the last 30 years so many times.
I hope her children know just how much her books meant to so many people. The quintessential English experience and for lots of us, our first introduction to the foibles and intricacies of the upper classes.

I described someone as wet just last week as it is one of the best insults ever. I actually said “oh no” when I saw today’s headline. What a brilliant lady, what a way to spend your life colouring the world with words. Thanks Jilly, x

Very sad, such an entertaining writer and came across as a really positive person.

Me too.
I’ve read the entire Rupert Campbell Black series twice
rip

So sad. Jilly ‘s books defined my youth, still love them now. She created a wonderful exciting colourful world of lust horses and dogs. A warm hug.

Best wishes to her heartbroken family.

OMG
Me too
Discovered Jackie first and then found the English version - Jilly

At 52 years old I am embarrassed to say that I don't think I have ever read any of her novels other than snatched snippets of Riders at school.

I need to read her now. Please could you wonderful mumsnetters let me know where I should start?

I returned to her books last year having originally read them as they were published in my 20s and 30s.
I finished Polo yesterday. Filled with puns , outrageous mock Spanish and her descriptions of the countryside this time round which I didn't appreciate originally. Her quotes from Robert Frost have led me to read more of his poetry.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep".

Her books were witty, joyful and uplifting.
And those puns.

Very much agree, particularly about the research. She was also very well read herself and it would be easy to miss a lot of her jokes and puns if you didn't have a decent knowledge of literature.
People who haven't read her assume that her books are badly written bonkbusters; given that they probably haven't read, say, Judith Krantz or Shirley Conran who they'd class as similar writers either, they're probably ill placed to make the comparison between authors.
Jilly actually did a very funny review of "Lace" by Shirley Conran, concluding that she might have made a bit of fun of the book because it was such a bestseller and so she, Jilly, was suffering from "pennies envy".

Have you watched Rivals on Disney? If so I would start there.
Otherwise Riders, Rivals then Polo.

My sister worked with a Rannaldini alike. She too said it was very true to life.

Jilly always seems like great fun. I shall raise a g and t to her later.

Ok so the Queen’s tribute has brought a lump to my throat

Queen Camilla has just put out a lovely and very personal message about Jilly, the last line of which reads: "And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs". To be honest, that has brought the tears to my eyes and a lump into my throat.....

That's just lovely.

Thank you - I don't have Disney plus but will start with these books - I had a feeling Rivals would be the first! I feel I need some escapism at the moment and everyone's lovely words about how comforting her books are has made me want to read.

I was very sad to read the headline too - despite not having read her books she really was a fixture in Gen X teen conversations - and it's funny/heartwarming as I am picking up on some of the references here

RIP Jilly. Lovely tribute from Camilla,
I’m sure they were kindred spirits.

Favourite books:
Harriet
Imogen
Bella

Rivals
Polo
Appassionata

Me too - my husband thinks I’m going mad. He will never understand the relationship between Gen X women and our Jilly!

I'm so sad we've lost Jilly, her books have been shared favourites of my Mum and I for years. I'm so glad she lived long enough to see the first season of 'Rivals' get the enthusiastic reception it did, it was splendid!

well that’s done it . Hard hearted though I normally am , that’s made me cry .

RIP Jilly . The go to author of my lifetime , if ever in need of gentle wit and comfort , and the epitome of irrepressible.

I will raise a glass to you this evening , whilst in the bath, Floris scented , before wrapping myself in a dark blue towel .

@VivaDixie my recommendation would be to start with Riders and go in sequence otherwise half the stuff in Rivals won't make sense!