Top 7 Jilly Cooper books ranked as she dies at 88 - No.1 is a total classic

As the tragic news of Dame Jilly Cooper leaves a nation of those raised on her joyful novels grieving the loss of a great, The Express looks back on her best writing. First starting as trail blazing women's columnist Dame Jilly pivoted to novel writing dominating book charts in the 80s and beyond - and most recently seeing her most famous book adapted into a hit Disney + show.

The adaption of Rivals saw her most celebrated character Rupert Campbell Black bought to life by Alex Hassel. "Her books have defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over fifty years ago," said her agent Felicity Blunt. "You wouldn't expect books categorised as bonkbusters to have so emphatically stood the test of time but Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things - class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility."

Many of her avid readers and fans have logged their favourite books on Goodreads, creating a definitive list of her best novels. The book in first place will come as no surprise.

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