Rivals Paperback – International Edition, March 10, 2008

A very entertaining read. I had to order this book from Britain. It took its sweet time getting here, but it was well wroth the wait. I'm not sure Jilly Cooper has made much of a splash in the US, which is a shame, because this Brit author is a master of the arch social novel of the upper class manners and UK media. The characters are very intelligent, very cultured, and capable of being very bitchy in the way that (one imagines) only upper-class Brits can be. Though the situations are a little unfamiliar to the American reader -- the plot revolves around a battle over the license for a television network (or stations, frankly, I'm not sure) it's nothing you can't suss out, and the business details are incidental to the backstabbing, affairs, and rivalries. "Rivals" is circa 1988, but it didn't strike me as dated as a novel about contemporary American from that period might; perhaps this is one instance where unfamiliarity with the local terms of engagement helps a bit. "Rivals" is second in the 10-book Rutshire Chronicles series, which stretch from 1995 to 2016. I shall read more, even if I have to wait for the books to ship from overseas. Fun stuff.

Loved the sexual freedom we had in the late 70s and all of the 80s. This was the time for all Baby Boomers to have the time of their lives. Too bad they grew up and then imposed their own children to beccome their parents. I'm in my 70s now, widowed, but this book had me sexually awakened AGAIN !!!! AND ADORED THE STREAMING VERSION OF RIVALS !!!Am ordering additional Jilly Cooper novels. Keep writing Jilly !!!!

I enjoyed the story, there was never a dull moment. However Jilly tends to go over the top with the number of characters in her books This one has 83. I read to relax, but trying to remember who's who gets a bit much. There is a list of characters at the start of the book, but that's slow on an e-reader. Quarter of those characters would be enough.

The second time I've read this book in a ten year span and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Sometimes I have a problem reading even 200 pages of a book. But I devoured all 800 and something pages chapter by chapter. It was fantastic. Love Taggie to pieces. Absolutely mad about Rupert. Cooper is an artiste. Perfect comedic timing. Description. Character development. And just pure British humour. Absolutely fantastic!

Found this book on sale.Had to buy it

This is one of my favorite Jilly Cooper novels as it's the one where Rupert meets Taggie. All of the other characters are great as usual, but, the O'Hara family is definitely 'dyslexic' as a whole.I met Jilly Cooper for the lst time traveling in Ireland almost 20 years ago and have been a huge fan of hers ever since. I am on my second reading through all of her books, this time on my kindle, so I can refer back to Rutshire history whenever I need to! Great writer and wonderful stories and characters. I'm eagerly awaiting another book!

My first read by Jilly Cooper was Riders, which I picked up at a used book store! Can you imagine how suprised and happy I was to have "stumbled" across this great writer? Anyway, my second read Rivals was every bit as entertaining as the first! Such outrageous characters and interesting plots.

Full disclosure: I am only 1/4 thru the book. Florid tortured prose. Not brilliant writing, just pretending by dragging out every moment so we think there's more substance than there is. Too many characters are one dimensional, lecherous, greedy, or vacuous and we are subjected to repetitive descriptions of each character's hair, eye color, height, size, complexion, and sexiness. I got it the first time, she's a redhead, he has blue eyes, all the men want to sleep with that one. Every sartorial choice by every character is described in detail ad nauseum and the author must have stock in a perfume company because she never misses an opportunity to mention what scent each one is wearing by name brand. Ditto with every place description naming every plant in view. It doesn't even work for me as a trashy guilty pleasure read.

AOK good read

I've read this book about 1000 times—never gets old, only more enjoyable. I WISH there was a sequel based only on Taggie, Rupert & their household.My paperback edition has been read so much it's fallen apart so I bought the Kindle version—pleased to say it's well formatted and surprisingly pleasurable to read. I hope the paperback is re-released—I'd like to have a new copy for my library as this is a book well worth keeping—it's Jilly Cooper's finest imo!

It was really enjoyable and very, very funny. Maybe a few too many characters, but otherwise a good story well told.

Absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Will be reading more by Jilly Cooper! Inspired by the series the book is far better!

Jilly Cooper zeigt hier wieder einmal mehr, was sie so drauf hat. Der Roman ist voller Verwicklungen, durchmischt mit herrlichen Wortspielen und auch der Sex kommt bei ihr - wie üblich -nicht zu kurz.