Book Log 12/2014 - Jilly Cooper: Jump

[jacey]

The story of Etta, put-upon widow and grandmother, whose generosity of spirit was abused by her domineering (wealthy) husband who left her at the mercy of her uncaring, grasping children due to the terms of his will. When Etta's home is sold out from under her and she's installed in a cramped little house close to her son and daughter-in-law, she's expected to be cook and full-time nanny for her spoiled brattish grandchildren, but the village into which she's propelled has a cast of interesting characters and--because this is, after all, a Jilly Cooper novel--romance eventually blossoms, and not only for Etta. On the way Etta rescues Mrs Wilkinson, a battered, half-starved thoroughbred filly, who turns out to be a courageous little National Hunt racer. Etta and Mrs Wilkinson save each other, and the filly is a catalyst redeeming or condemning (each according to their worth) a whole cast of characters. Or maybe that should be cariacatures--because this is, after all, a Jilly Cooper novel. It's long, complex and tremendous fun featuring a few recurring favourites such as Rupert Campbell-Black.

Cooper's immersion in the world of jump racing is complete and very believable and I absolutely trust that she has the details of the sport accurately depicted. It's well researched, but not laboured.

Jilly Cooper is not a subtle novellist--her plots are twisty, her characters larger than life--but she delivers page-turning, emotion-packed stories, perfect for a bit of self-indulgent reading when you really should be getting on with something else, but, oh, never mind. Just one more chapter.

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Oh dear old Jolly Sooper! :o)

You've been quiet of late! All well?

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Yes, fine, thanks for asking. I've been busy with August/September SF conventions, two Milford trips, page proofs for the first novel and I'm currently writing the second novel, Crossways. The first one is out on November 4th from DAW - Empire of Dust by Jacey Bedford.
:-)

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Been on our travels too and can heartily recommend Bratislava if you've not been?

I don't do conventions of the literary sort but the London one did mean I got to meet up with Gill Polack for the first time in the real world and to re-connect with _electricant_ as they were both over from Oz for Loncon.

Busy is good!

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

She was part of a panel at the Cheltenham Festival's* literary stream a year or so ago and she was very funny.


*Horse, not book.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Oh, I bet she was great. Her sense of the ridiculous permeates the Rutshire Chronicles. I've been a fan even before her big sellers. I used to read her slight romances when I was a teen and then when 'Riders' came out I was in heaven. A pony book for grown-ups! What's not to like?