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22nd out of 143 books
—
144 voters
Riders (Rutshire Chronicles #1)
by
Jilly Cooper
This steamy book blows the lid off international show jumping, a sport where the brave horses are almost human, and the humans behave like animals.
Paperback, 919 pages
Published
May 7th 2007
by Corgi
(first published January 1st 1986)
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May 13, 2013
Smitten's Book Blog
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-kindle
I read this years and years ago, before my reading addiction really took hold.
I think I need to re-read, cast and review it soon!
Such great, timeless books.
Has anyone else read these?
I think I need to re-read, cast and review it soon!
Such great, timeless books.
Has anyone else read these?
2 likes · like · see review
view all 3 comments
Well, well, well, what a lovely surprise.
I picked up this book on the recommendation of last month's Goodreads newsletter, which said Riders was a solid summer read. British. Bawdy. Lots of cavorting around the English countryside. What's not to like? Then I went to my local Barnes & Noble, found the only copy in stock and was instantly dismayed by the book's heft (more than 900 pages!) and its ridiculous cover art depicting a huge close up of tight, white riding pants stretched taut over a...more
I picked up this book on the recommendation of last month's Goodreads newsletter, which said Riders was a solid summer read. British. Bawdy. Lots of cavorting around the English countryside. What's not to like? Then I went to my local Barnes & Noble, found the only copy in stock and was instantly dismayed by the book's heft (more than 900 pages!) and its ridiculous cover art depicting a huge close up of tight, white riding pants stretched taut over a...more
This one follows a group of show-jumping stars for around a decade. Like all of her non-'girl name' (her early books with heroine names as titles, and not very thick) books, this one has a cast of thousands, but the story revolves around the rivalry between two very different show-jumpers: (1) Jake Lovell, a poor gypsy who has almost uncanny rapport with animals, a deprived background, a marriage to a wonderful if plain woman for money and a burning desire to best Rupert Campbell-Black who made...more
Well, this is certainly no Pride and Prejudice! This is Cooper's debut book; a naughty romp through the elite world of show-jumping from local shows to the very top of the sport - the World Championships and the Olympics. Our main characters are Jake Lovell, a Gypsy underdog, and the first showing of Rupert Campbell-Black (who will appear in future books by Jilly Cooper), the good-looking rogue of the horsy set who jumps in and out of beds with no thought to the consequences.
There are masses of...more
There are masses of...more
2 likes · like · see review
Ho ho. So much to enjoy about Jilly Cooper's Riders - the definitive bonkbuster from the 1980s.
I read Riders for the first time in the summer of 1995 because I wanted to be a writer, and I wanted to read as many different types of blockbuster novels as possible. I felt embarrassed to read it, to be honest. I had assumed that Jilly Cooper books were written mainly for girls, rather than boys. Maybe they are.
Another reason why I didn't expect to like the book is that it's about showjumping, which...more
I read Riders for the first time in the summer of 1995 because I wanted to be a writer, and I wanted to read as many different types of blockbuster novels as possible. I felt embarrassed to read it, to be honest. I had assumed that Jilly Cooper books were written mainly for girls, rather than boys. Maybe they are.
Another reason why I didn't expect to like the book is that it's about showjumping, which...more
Okay so I'm going to address the cover 1st. If you want to take a tip from me, dont buy this from a secondhand bookstore with a seedy old male cashier. Also, the cover leads one to believe that the contents of this book will be more risque than actually so. It's risque, but it's not detailed and there's far more time spent on characterisation.
In regards to the quality of the book, it was very long and truthfully Im not really sure what to say... I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, thei...more
In regards to the quality of the book, it was very long and truthfully Im not really sure what to say... I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, thei...more
This is the ultimate show jumping novel. Jilly Cooper supposedly followed the British Team around for a year to write this book. Half the fun is trying to figure out who the characters are as you read the book, the other half is finding out just how well written the book is.
I read this for the first time when I was 14 yeras old and in junior high, since then I have regularly re-read it about every 5 years. Plus all the sequels involving Rupurt in some way or another. The characters are well cha...more
I read this for the first time when I was 14 yeras old and in junior high, since then I have regularly re-read it about every 5 years. Plus all the sequels involving Rupurt in some way or another. The characters are well cha...more
This book brought back great memories of my teenage self and friends giggling and whispering back in 80's at senior school. Around 14 years of age and going through that faze every girl goes through of wanting to be mis handled by something course and rough we all had a major crush on Ruper Campbell Black. Some 20 plus years later I returned to Riders to find that as a married mother of three this time it was dependable Jake Lovell that I wanted.
With its raunchy cover its not a book I would want...more
With its raunchy cover its not a book I would want...more
I'm pretty sure the blurb on the cover of my copy read "Sex and horses--it just doesn't get any better" or something like that, and I suppose that's really the best review. But the progress of the book into and out of my life is also a testament to its effects on readers:
A paperback copy of Riders was loaned to me by the director of a school where I worked. She'd bought it while traveling in England and made me swear I would give it back, as she wasn't sure she could easily get another copy stat...more
A paperback copy of Riders was loaned to me by the director of a school where I worked. She'd bought it while traveling in England and made me swear I would give it back, as she wasn't sure she could easily get another copy stat...more
I bought this book because my friend, Brenda, always passes on her romance novels to me. I'm not much of a romance reader, but this was in the $4 bin at Borders and I thought it would be nice to give her a book for a change. It's a fast, easy read and I found it very compelling. All of the sex is implied, which is unusual in a book of this type. I would have liked to read this on a beach or by a pool somewhere. Or possibly when I was sick. It doesn't require much concentration, but I liked it st...more
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Sadly, I wasn't particularly thrilled with the book. The biggest problem I had with it was that there was very little build-up to any of the relationships. Characters jump into bed with little pretense and marry after just a few dates. There was very little of the agonizing "Will they end up together?" suspense, and while some readers may find that refreshing, it's what I most relish in a romance read.
Overall I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. I was 2/3 of the way through the book before it sta...more
Overall I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. I was 2/3 of the way through the book before it sta...more
As a horse person, I LOVED this book. Bought it on a whim during a Border's "going out of business" sale for $1 and I'm so glad.
It's an inside look into the world of professional show jumping. There's the standard trainer who is good to his horses, the evil trainer who cares nothing for his horses, just for winning at all costs, love affairs, treachery, marriages gone bad, etc. Plus it's set in England, which is always bonus points for me because I love England as a setting.
Loved it. But always...more
It's an inside look into the world of professional show jumping. There's the standard trainer who is good to his horses, the evil trainer who cares nothing for his horses, just for winning at all costs, love affairs, treachery, marriages gone bad, etc. Plus it's set in England, which is always bonus points for me because I love England as a setting.
Loved it. But always...more
This isn't a book I'll reread. There's no real plot -- it's just the ogoing adventures of a large cast of show jumpers. The book jumps between characters almost randomly, and stays with one for so long you sometimes wonder what happened to the others. I mostly enjoyed it because I love horses, but I didn't find many of the characters especially likeable or sympathetic. I think the only reason I stuck with it to the end was because I read a review that suggested the most evil of the characters wo...more
Best Horse book ever
Well didnt this open up my innocent eyes back in the day when i read it. I bought the copy whilst on a day trip and just because i was into horses from a woolworths store. I think this book was my first real novel that i read and i was hooked from then on in.
The fact that the front cover of a womans backside in tight white jodphurs and a mans masculine hand cupping her did not even cross my mind at all to think that it would be so eye opening at a youngish age.
At the start of the novel i reall...more
The fact that the front cover of a womans backside in tight white jodphurs and a mans masculine hand cupping her did not even cross my mind at all to think that it would be so eye opening at a youngish age.
At the start of the novel i reall...more
Very enjoyabale book - I don't think I have ever read a nearly 1000 page book in less than a week. Admittedly, it took me a while to get into it... I had actually started the book about 6 months ago, but found it hard to keep track of all the names and to get used to the writing style.
However, picking it up last week, I found myself being drawn into the story once all the major characters had been introduced and finding it hard to put it down. Not only are the characters very 'human' and believ...more
However, picking it up last week, I found myself being drawn into the story once all the major characters had been introduced and finding it hard to put it down. Not only are the characters very 'human' and believ...more
I've resisted the call of Jilly Cooper for a few years now - but my recent holiday meant I wanted a book that was silly, easy to read and fun. And this book fit the bill perfectly!
Lots of British romping in the countryside, characters that can be accurately called 'cads' and a great storyline.
Didn't quite get the 5 stars as it was overly long, but still really enjoyed reading this book in the glorious sunshine!
Lots of British romping in the countryside, characters that can be accurately called 'cads' and a great storyline.
Didn't quite get the 5 stars as it was overly long, but still really enjoyed reading this book in the glorious sunshine!
I remember going to the local library and getting this out when I was about 14 or 15. I biked home on my ten speed with it stuck to my bike carrier as it wouldn't fit in my bag I had hanging over my handlebars. What a revelation. Still one of my all times favorites and who doesn't love Rupert. Rich characters and while now it might be a little dated, it's still a rather rollicking good time. LOVE Jilly Cooper.
1 like · like · see review
One of my absolute favorite books! Horses, jumping, sex, scandal... it's exactly what the show circuit is like! I want to be friends with Billy, marry Dino, and train with Fen. Jilly Cooper is a remarkable lady who keeps me up all night turning the pages to find out what happens next, only to throw you a curve ball. *Spoiler alert: NEVER get too attached to a grey horse in a Jilly novel.*
This book started slowly for me. It meandered through a lot of characters with very little action to the point I actually started reading something else. But then I caught myself wondering about the characters and the horses and was finally sucked in. I loved and hated Rupert, laughed and cried about Fen and Billy and Fen and Dino, felt for Helen, enjoyed Helen & Jake's affair and was still happy when Jake went back to Tory and all was well.
Mar 08, 2008
Yrinsyde
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who is undertaking a long flight
Shelves:
bookcrossing
Sex! Horses! Sex! and more sex! Yep, sex. This is the first Jilly Cooper book I’ve read (it was a Bookcrossing book found in Ireland by one of my work colleages) and although I don’t really read ‘bodice rippers’, this was a racey and fun read! She writes in a very engaging manner and keeps things bubbling along without a dry patch (not easy to do with large novels). Her descriptions of various things are evocative and bring to mind smells, sights and sounds. Although the book is heaving with sex...more
Lovable rogues don't come much more in your face (!) than Rupert Campbell-Black.
This classic had been on my to-read list for decades and I really could not put it down.
Sympathies flit between characters and ethical codes melt and reform as required.
Even if it's not a book you'd normally read, you think it's too long or lowbrow for you, just pick it up and enjoy.
This classic had been on my to-read list for decades and I really could not put it down.
Sympathies flit between characters and ethical codes melt and reform as required.
Even if it's not a book you'd normally read, you think it's too long or lowbrow for you, just pick it up and enjoy.
Picked up this book after the recommendation from last month's Goodreads newsletter about it being a perfect summer read. It was a fun romp--at over 900 pages, it wasn't the "lightest-weight" summer read. But it read pretty quickly. I learned a lot about British show jumping. As for recommending it any of my friends--I don't think I could. It's much too salacious.
I loved this book. It's such fun. My friend recommended I read the series and it was well worth it! Very different to what I read before. Thoroughly enjoyably. Jilly Coopers characters I felt really came to life! You could just imagine Rupert Evert playing Rupert Campbell Black! Talking about this book is making me want to read it again! RCB...what cracking one-liners he has!
If you like horses and a good trashy romance novel, this is for you. Read it many year ago so I can't go into the plot extensivly (infact I'll just skip that all together) put I remember I couldn't put the book down. This book partners with "Rivals" and they are both equally tacky and wonderful to read. Highly recommend this book for summer beach reading.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Does a fabulous job of revealing the underside of the horse world in a funny, clever way. Even if you are not into horses, you will love this book for the drama, humor, and great characters that you hate-to-love and love-to-hate. Very well written, very accurate, and VERY entertaining. I wish she had a dozen more books like this!
The book that started it all...probably the first piece of chick lit I ever read in 1991.
Horses, sex, scandal...amazing characters and great story line with hilarious original one liners and witty observations that still make me laugh even though I have read this book about 15 times in the years since.
Jilly is the Queen of this genre.
Horses, sex, scandal...amazing characters and great story line with hilarious original one liners and witty observations that still make me laugh even though I have read this book about 15 times in the years since.
Jilly is the Queen of this genre.
Another adult book that I read as a teenager and was shocked at the sex scenes! A brilliant story and full of over-the-top characters behaving outrageously. Decadent and a jolly good read! Made me go on and read several other Jilly Cooper books with the same characters. I look back with great fondness on this one.
I love this book (along with the entire collection of sequels), the characters are OTT, there is humour in abundance, it covers a subject I love and I have read it over and over and over.
I don't have the words to explain why I so enjoy this book. I wish I did. Everyone should read it, at least once.
I don't have the words to explain why I so enjoy this book. I wish I did. Everyone should read it, at least once.
It gets better on rereading! I totally disagree with Jilly cooper's politics, but she makes me laugh out loud. Before reading this I'd read her journalism and her romances but this is a very different beast, and I use that work advisedly! Full of sex and all sorts of mayhem, and totally escapest fun.
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Jilly Cooper, OBE (born February 21, 1937) is an English author. She started her career as a journalist and wrote numerous works of non-fiction before writing several romance novels, the first of which appeared in 1975. She is most famous for writing the six blockbuster novels the Rutshire Chronicles.
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