In the 70s, there was only one Queen of the columnists and this was Jilly Cooper, and what a sexy young filly she was too.
Bear with me on this one, I've recently read 3 of her books from the 70s/80s, not those nonsense novels about being horsehipped by a man in a tuxedo, but the whimsical guides she writes, covering topics from the secrets of a long marriage (believe me, there are some real pearls of wisdom in there), how to survive being a step-mum (very candid, that would rival anything being published now), to how to have an 'affaire' and get away with it. Class!
Jilly on men: ' I find I resent the fact that I can't live without them, that they hurt me emotionally, that I hate yet secretly enjoy being bullied by them, that they can do tasks domestic far better than I can, that they enjoy the company of other men so much, and on the whole prefer a bat to a bit on the side'. (Super Men and Super Women, Magnum Books, 1977). I can't say I agree with her on the last two points though, I enjoy male company and Mr Norman, as many men I know, has no time for sport.
She is for the most part, a woman after my own heart, before landing a job as a writer, she worked doing umpteen office jobs, and she writes with clever wit and class-consciousness about the horrors and benalities of office life.
A full list of her non-fiction, many of which I've read and enjoyed hugely, is here.
Jilly Cooper (born 21 February, 1937)
4 lip schticks:
Who was the columnist - I think on Sundays - her photo was always a sort of Anne Robinson 'looking down her nose, but over the top of her specs' pose - I'm sure it was Sue someoneorother?
Mr Norman doesn't like sport?!
How does he work out his testosterone-based aggression?
(best not to answer that)
Has he been to the Doctor? I can give him the number of one that he can get an appointment for tuit suite.
PM - I'll ask Mr Norman, a wealth of retro knowledge, as I don't know, and will get back to you.
Inchy, it's a blessing. I hate sport too. Although I love a flutter on the 'ole gee gees. A bit like Jilly, I should imagine.
Ooh, that's a slippery slope, Empress.
Post a Comment