To ask for another drenched in scent Jillly Cooper thread

[Polkadotpjs]

I've just re read Riders after the recent thread on here but couldn't find it to re read. Also wondered what on earth I made of it last time I read it 20+ years ago I was horrified at a lot of it and annoyed at a lot of the characters. Still loved it though and really enjoyed being immersed in another world - choosing it even over my phone to dip into for another delicious spell of escape. Reading has really helped in lockdown and I really didn't remember much of the plot - characters yes. I'd be bulky polka who are too much porridge but tried to make an effort by splashing on a bit of scent
Talk to me about the others and the best Jilly-isms. Or link me to the other thread and I'll be quiet! Thank you!!

Ahem. I have found my people.

I'm rereading Mount. Rupert is pissing me off. It turns my stomach every time he says buttercunt as he 'plunges' into Gala 🤢🤢🤢🤢

I'm down to washing my hair just once a week since I go nowhere and see no one, and with that my hair is in snaky ringlets down my back (hello, Georgie M). Really must ensure I wrap myself in a pink towel when rushing off to answer the phone.

I think Maud O'Hara was badly written, as she had few [that is no] redeeming qualities. There wasn't much there there, and Declan was too clever to have fallen for her on looks only, Maud Gonne notwithstanding.

Caitlin O'Hara deserved a bit more fleshing out.

Lily Hamilton and Dora - YY. Anthea Belvedon - Mrs Cat's bum Mouth in person. I was pleased to see Patience "Virty" Cartwright be allowed to be a real woman when she rode, acknowledged for being who she was.

Janna Curtis - too good to be true? Was Hengist a Rupert-lite who didn't quite work?

Rannaldini was a complete dick, I was tired of him by the time he left things. Cosmo has too few moments of humanity although I give Dora credit for finding them.

I do like the idea of Mrs Wilkinson and Chisolm bustling from here to there.

I can't read past Score. Well, I've read them but I can't re read them because they were so awful. The school one was just icky. I need to find another copy of Appassionata because mine felt apart.

Also, in Polo when Hamish dumps Daisy and then takes the corkscrew. What an utter cunt. I love how Drew becomes increasingly less attractive. Ricky - I so would

I'm still cross with Helen- yes I know she had a crap time but poor bulky Tory. (I'm the same weight as her at a lesser height so left in no doubt as to my stature with Jilly!)
Jake - disappointing

I found a first edition signed copy of Mount in a charity shop for £1. I scuttled away with it like Gollum and his Precious! Not read it yet. I think I might start from the beginning again. Savour it

Declan is probably my favourite male character except for his tolerating that awful wife of his.
I used to use the phrase 'a conspicuous leaver' to describe OH's habit of leaving a tablespoon of curry, chilli etc in the dish, it's from Daisy's awful MIL in Polo.

Did anybody else secretly fancy Rannaldini (pre sex murdering bit) even though he was very short?

Moo no I didnt fancy ranaldini in the slightest not because he was short (I like short men, I have one haha) but he was just so icky and a bastard.

How many biological children did ranaldini have in the end. I thought he only had 3 but im just ploughing through score and it said he had 8

And yes god RCBs behaviour in mount poor poor Maggie and I'm not the only one who thought buttercunt was vile.
Bastard

Taggie

I loved the description that Flora had put on so much weight with misery-eating that whichever way she put on her pants, they felt back to front. Been there!!

I always had a soft spot for Caitlin.

I’ve never read a jilly Cooper book I think I might have to try one. What do I start with? I need the escapism. Were they anything like Jackie Collins? Now those I used to love as a teen.

I can't remember which book it's in bit someone says at some point, "she's as dull as the electricity board in Monopoly".

Also love her description of Valarie in her cricket jersey as "extremely silly mid-off".

But my favourite line ever is from Riders when Helen says "Nigel [the vegetarian] hasn't eaten anything that moves in ten years" and RCB goes "not even jelly?"

Also her description of the cat "crashing fatly though the catflap".

Fatly is absolutely an adverb in our house

I live slap bang in the heart of Jilly territory. Every time I walk through the woods surrounded by wild garlic I am tempted to roll in it... I have so far.

Ooccasionally DH calls me on his way home to tell me he's in France-Lynch. He doesn't understand why I gighabout it.

Be right back - just off to cut my fringe with the bacon scissors before bonking someone on a glockenspiel.

@TwoleftUggs Start with Riders. It's the first and they mostly follow on. It's also, in my humble opinion, the best.

Oooooooh this is what my covid-lockdown-depression needs

Where do I start? Riders?!!!

I am re-reading riders at the moment, RCB is such a horrible horrible father to Marcus it's unbelievable.

I know Helen is really annoying, I definitely wouldn't want to be friends with her, but she does have such a stressful time with Marcus being poorly and her having to do everything for him without any husband there. Just knowing he is off shagging around.

Tory is such a soldier - she has such a grim life! Even Fen is a brat to her

Riders is 99p on kindle.

Rupert does come through for Marcus in the end though and accepts him being gay.

You should start with Riders but I think Rivals is the best.

Declan, Valerie, Lizzie and Freddie, Cameron Cook (who I think she tried to replicate in Perdita but Perdita was just a bitch with no redeeming features) and the wonderful Taggie. Ruperts character development. Just brilliant.

I do love Polo too. Theses are the first 3 Rutshire Chronicles. Quality does go downhill.

And I don't fancy Ranaldini but I'm not sure I wouldn't shag him - he seems quite adept according to Flora.

I can’t believe Helen cleaned the piano keys before Marcus’ piano recital. That just sums her up as the most annoying character ever!

Can you all please stop as I need to read 122043737 fucking journals for uni and not Polo or Riders for the millionth time!