The Common Years - Hardcover

Jilly Cooper comes from Yorkshire and was educated at Goldlophin School in Salisbury. For twenty-five years she lived in London and for thirteen of them she wrote for the Sunday Times, during which time her column was one of the most widely read features in the paper. In 1982 she moved to Gloucestershire and began writing a column for the Mail on Sunday. Recently she has devoted more of her time to writing books, ten of which have been published by Mandarin; she is also the author of six romances, three bestselling novels, Riders, Rivals and Polo, a book of short stories, two anthologies and several children's books. She makes frequent appearances on television and has done many radio broadcasts. Paul Cox was born in 1957. He studied illustration at Camberwell and the Royal College of Art. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Outing by Dylan Thomas, The Irish R.M and editorial assignments for The Times, Daily Telegraph and Observer.

"Miss Cooper's life is a curiously endearing mixture of Joyce Grenfell and August Strindberg - endlessly gracious neighbourly occasions undercut and made bearable by a home life of wonderfully chaotic neurosis and catastrophes - highlighted by sudden and marvellous insights into neighbours and former friends" -- Sheridan Morley "An entrancing book" -- Lynda Lee-Potter * Daily Mail * "A brilliant and beloved book and absolutely unputdownable" -- Elizabeth Longford "So observant... a delightful book" -- Valerie Singleton * Daily Express *