My Favourite book is Polo by Jilly Cooper, this book was written in 1991, though i had it since the 90’s i only cracked it open in 2008. This book is based on the rich and fast lives of Polo players and Show Jumpers based in England, Argentina and America primarily, back in 60’s through to the 80’s. I would never have guessed that such an old book would appeal to me but its sheer genius, the portrayal of drama and intriguing romance within the Polo community had me glued to this book and i couldn't put it down. To date i have read the book about 6 times, i also went out and bought and read the complimenting 9 book series. Jilly absolutely had me captivated and hungry for more. Her book is not intellectual though she has a few intellectual books too, but this book was my sanity back in school when i needed entertainment.
The main characters in the book are Perdita Mcleod a polo mad teen with the greatest crush on a nine goal handicapped Ricky France-Lynch, the proud one. The story line moves from The English polo fields to the Argentine Pampas then to the silk polo fields of Palm Beach in America. The detail in the polo games were displayed had me polo and horse mad i was so taken i felt i needed my own experience of this sport i knew nothing of. I followed the story closely, behind the polo games and sex scenes, of the ever so tragic loss of three year old William France- Lynch and the wreckage of his father’s life as a result. It gave me extreme joy and pleasure watching Ricky pick himself up and rebuilding his life i related in so many ways and i urged him on repeatedly through my every read.
Beyond Ricky’s story there is the life of Perdita an atrocious teen, driven to shocking heights of outrageousness due to non recognition by her step father, Hamish Mcleod. Perdita’s sweet and hopelessly incompetent mother, Daisy Mcleod, has an unimaginable secret that changes the lives of many in an instant. The story of Daisy is also very heartbreaking, of how she is abandoned by her husband and is falling apart at the seams. Perdita grows up only able to love horses and get’s over Ricky and ends up under Red Alderton only to discover his is not her Mr right. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone curious, all i can say is get your hands on this classic it will move your life at the very least as it is a fiction Novel.
This is my favorite book written by a woman because Jilly wasn't any of the household names we grew up on, though i have no clue as to why, but her writing captivated me as i read her books the movies screened in my head she was accurate and well researched, she lead me into her world and i followed gracefully. This is a commendable skill to captivate an audience and make them buy into your fictitious reality. I applaud Jilly for her talent especially in a time when female writers didn't get the recognition and respect they deserved she still kept her pen to her note book. She is still alive and going strong at the age of 77, i take my hat off to her.
