A long, engaging story that was quite a fun read. Definitely remember that it is set in the 1980s. I knew nothing about polo prior to reading this.

A long, engaging story that was quite a fun read. Definitely remember that it is set in the 1980s. I knew nothing about polo prior to reading this.

As an avid reader, a mom who occasionally enjoys a good "chick flick" kindof book, a rider and a polo player, I have to say I loved this trashy but well-written, stealthily erudite tome on all counts! Jilly Cooper knows how to write a thumping good book, and knows her polo, too. The first time I read it, I read it for pure enjoyment. The second time I read it, I paid closer attention to the polo descriptions-she scored both times. A fun, vastly entertaining book that will make you laugh, and ...

As an avid reader, a mom who occasionally enjoys a good "chick flick" kindof book, a rider and a polo player, I have to say I loved this trashy but well-written, stealthily erudite tome on all counts! Jilly Cooper knows how to write a thumping good book, and knows her polo, too. The first time I read it, I read it for pure enjoyment. The second time I read it, I paid closer attention to the polo descriptions-she scored both times. A fun, vastly entertaining book that will make you laugh, and give you insight into the fast-paced world of "polo-tics". Polo players will recognize a few of her characters who are based on real people, or amalgamations of several real people, which gives the book an extra fun twist. Don't give it to your teenagers, it's a little too "R" rated, but adults looking for a horsey read, with a sexy, over-the-top life-styles-of-the-rich-and-famous touch, will enjoy this book!

Who knew the world of Polo could be like this? Cooper begins her 800 plus page ( perhaps a bit too long actually) story with a detailed list of the "players" involved, which, believe me, you will need to refer back to from time to time as the plot(s) thicken.
There is a lot of shagging going on amongst the upper- crust cleverly juxtaposed against a really finely crafted explanation of how the game of Polo actually works - the fabulously wealthy owners of the teams; the professionally rated s...

Who knew the world of Polo could be like this? Cooper begins her 800 plus page ( perhaps a bit too long actually) story with a detailed list of the "players" involved, which, believe me, you will need to refer back to from time to time as the plot(s) thicken.
There is a lot of shagging going on amongst the upper- crust cleverly juxtaposed against a really finely crafted explanation of how the game of Polo actually works - the fabulously wealthy owners of the teams; the professionally rated stringers; the highly trained and very costly ponies and the intense danger to all of them on the field.
But it's off the field that proves to be even more treacherous.
This is a fun read.

I nearly put this book down at the start as the reader is bogged down in keeping track of who's who. But I loved Riders and Rivals so persevered. It turned out to be one of those books you tried to slow down near the end as you don't want it to end. Fantastic, richly muddled and bereft characters live intertwining lives with the polo world. The descriptions of the matches were similar to the quiditch matches of Harry Potter, but with horses whose movements become one with the reader. I loved ...

I nearly put this book down at the start as the reader is bogged down in keeping track of who's who. But I loved Riders and Rivals so persevered. It turned out to be one of those books you tried to slow down near the end as you don't want it to end. Fantastic, richly muddled and bereft characters live intertwining lives with the polo world. The descriptions of the matches were similar to the quiditch matches of Harry Potter, but with horses whose movements become one with the reader. I loved this book.