British author Jilly Cooper, whose books have topped bestseller lists, has passed away at 88. Last year, before the TV adaptation of her hit novel “Rivals” was released, she shared her thoughts on how society has evolved since she first wrote the book.

When I relocated from London to the West Country in the 1980s with my late husband Leo and our children, Felix and Emily, I discovered that extramarital affairs were just as common there. It seemed like everyone was engaging in adultery or casual sex—even the farm animals appeared to be at it, not just the rabbits.

I was taken aback by a charming aristocrat who, upon marrying for the fourth time, requested that all three of his ex-wives sleep with him as a wedding gift. At one dinner party, the hosts, who had been arguing fiercely, slipped away between courses for a quick romp upstairs—giving a fresh twist to the word “intercourse.” Another time, I was disappointed when a handsome man showed interest in me, only to invite me to a dinner where his wife promptly warned me that he had received 35 Valentine’s cards that year, signaling “hands off!”

These individuals inspired my 1988 bestseller, “Rivals,” a story that delves into scandalous behavior and hidden secrets in the television industry. The Daily Mail praised it as “a gloriously sexy rampage through the Cotswold countryside, backed by an exceptionally well-researched account of backstabbing and ruthless machinations in a TV franchise battle.”

In the novel, Lord Baddingham runs Corinium Television, a ruthless businessman more focused on advertising revenue and intimidating his staff than creating quality programs. To secure his franchise renewal, he lures Irish superstar Declan O’Hara from the BBC, who moves his beautiful but discontented wife Maud and their two daughters to the Cotswolds. What ensues is a whirlwind of conflicts in both corporate and private settings as everyone vies for dominance.

Nearly 40 years after I wrote it, “Rivals” has been adapted for TV by Disney+. David Tennant brilliantly portrays Lord Baddingham, and Aidan Turner, known for his role in “Poldark,” plays Declan O’Hara. Unlike previous adaptations that altered my characters and plots beyond recognition, this one faithfully captures the essence of my original novel, vividly recreating the late ’80s era through its cast and script.

And what an era it was. Now in my late 80s, I’d need my walking stick to ward off any unwelcome advances. Rereading “Rivals” transported me back, and I’m both amazed and shocked by how much has changed over the decades. Back then, it felt like everyone was partying, smoking, enjoying long, wine-filled lunches, and having plenty of sex. Much of the story is set in the Cotswolds, home to the Beaufort Hunt, notorious for its high fences and low morals. Today, those boozy lunches have been replaced with working ones, and spontaneous affairs have given way to dating apps, which have drained some of the fun and mischief from life.

In “Rivals,” swapping mistresses is more the norm than swapping wives. My favorite character, the troublemaker Rupert Campbell-Black, newly divorced, seems to have two affairs going. One is with journalist Beattie Johnson, dubbed the First Not Quite a Lady of Fleet Street, whom he romps with in the Concorde restroom. The other is with the stunning wife of a fellow MP, who, when Rupert is caught playing nude tennis, insists she doesn’t expect fidelity from her husband but demands it from her lover. The series definitely explores eroticism from a female perspective.

It doesn’t surprise me that Gen Z has voted the ’80s the best decade to live through. Today, there seems to be far less…It seems like everyone is focused on burning off energy at the gym or jogging endlessly. These days, so many couples meet online, which feels far less spontaneous and thrilling than the wild office parties and dances of the past, where people would often end up kissing someone they’d just met. Remember those enchanted evenings when you’d spot a stranger across a crowded room and end up in a passionate embrace instead of just swapping numbers to text later?

But the ’80s were also a difficult and painful era, especially for gay people. In Rivals, Corinium’s head of religious broadcasting is devastated when his lover, Gerald, leaves him. Gerald, who serves as Rupert’s brilliant parliamentary private secretary, believes he must marry a woman to maintain a respectable image and advance his career. It’s heartening today that same-sex marriages are widely celebrated, and many couples can happily adopt children to build their families.

Bringing Rivals to life has reminded me of how families used to gather at home to watch shows like Dallas and Dynasty on television. With only four channels back then, TV ratings were massive—30 million viewers tuned in to see Dirty Den serve divorce papers to Angie Watts in EastEnders, and 17 million watched the soap’s first gay kiss. Now, entertainment is in the palm of our hands instead of on a screen in the corner of the room. Families often suffer from “oblongitis,” staring at their phones at restaurants or at home rather than having lively conversations about the day’s events. Even concerts are now experienced through phone screens as people film instead of just watching and listening.

Fashion in the ’80s, as seen in old issues of Vogue, was more butch—think broad padded shoulders, cinched waists, short hair hidden under hats, and long fur coats that are frowned upon and mostly banned today. Body ideals have shifted too; back then, people did endless exercises to shrink their bottoms, with slender celebrities like Anneka Rice winning Rear of the Year awards. Now, large, lifted buttocks are in style, and lips filled with filler often protrude more than breasts. Ironically, the stiff upper lip has nearly disappeared, as both men and women readily burst into tears over anything good or bad that happens to them.

Status and class were paramount in Rivals, unlike today. Lord Baddingham, despite being a life peer, feels insecure because he attended a grammar school and resents that Rupert, an Old Harrovian, never includes him in his lively social circle. Meanwhile, Rupert quickly befriends Freddie Jones, a charming, self-made electronics millionaire with a strong Cockney accent who proudly embraces his working-class roots.

I recall a posh neighbor in Gloucestershire during the ’80s who dropped by and criticized my bright red poppies, saying they didn’t belong in a Cotswold garden. Dinner parties were stressful too, with guests fretting over saying “napkin” instead of “serviette” or serving cheese before dessert, and worrying if the most important guest was seated incorrectly. Nowadays, it’s much more relaxed—hosts might serve takeout and wine with screw caps without fear of judgment.

Above all, in Rivals, I depict true love flourishing. Back then, many believed that a long, happy marriage was life’s greatest achievement and that all was right with the world if you found your Mr. Right. Sadly, today, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.Divorce is easier to obtain legally, which is a relief for those trapped in unhappy marriages. Yet it’s heartbreaking how many parents and grandparents lose touch with their children and grandchildren, and the other way around. Then there’s the ongoing struggle of adapting to stepfamilies, with all the conflicts and competition that brings.

I was very fortunate to meet such a wonderful husband. As I mentioned in a previous book, the key to a happy marriage is bed springs that creak as much from laughter as from passion. Maybe we should all put in a little more effort. But as L.P. Hartley wrote in The Go-Between, “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs about From the Archives Jilly Cooper Reflects on 1980s Englandthe Ups the Downs and the Affairs

General Beginner Questions

1 Who is Jilly Cooper
Jilly Cooper is a famous British author best known for her romantic and comedic novels like the Rutshire Chronicles which often feature largerthanlife characters and are set in glamorous upperclass worlds

2 What is this From the Archives piece about
Its a retrospective piece where Jilly Cooper looks back on the 1980s in England sharing her personal reflections on the decades highs lows and the famous extramarital affairs that defined the era

3 Why is Jilly Cooper a good person to talk about the 1980s
She was a prominent writer and social commentator during that time Her novels like Riders and Rivals perfectly captured the spirit of the 80sthe ambition wealth and scandalous behavior

4 What were some of the main Ups of the 1980s she mentions
She likely highlights the decades energy economic boom for some the rise of a new flashy yuppie culture and vibrant creative scenes in music fashion and art

5 And what were the Downs
The downs would include the deep social and economic divisions high unemployment the AIDS crisis and the political tensions of the Cold War era

Deeper Advanced Questions

6 What does she mean by the Affairs Is it just about personal relationships
While personal infidelity was a major theme in her books and in the news affairs also refers to the general climate of scandal secrecy and behindthescenes dealings in both politics and high society

7 How did the political climate of the 1980s like Thatcherism influence her writing and reflections
The era of Margaret Thatcher promoted individualism and wealth creation which directly fueled the ambitious competitive and often cutthroat characters and settings in Coopers novels

8 Does she reflect on how her own life or writing changed during the 1980s
Yes the 1980s were the period when she published her most