Bonkbuster

Although the term has been used generally to describe "bodice-rippers" such as Forever Amber (1944) by Kathleen Winsor,^[5] as well as Valley of the Dolls (1966) and the novels of Jacqueline Susann^[6]^[7] and Harold Robbins,^[8] it is specifically associated with the novels of Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins, Shirley Conran and Jilly Cooper, known for their glamorous, financially independent female protagonists and salacious storylines.^[9] Many of these novels were adapted in the 1980s into glossy, big-budget miniseries, reminiscent of primetime soaps of the time, such as Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty.

Scruples (1978) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1980 miniseries
Princess Daisy (1980) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1983 miniseries
Bare Essence (1980) by Meredith Rich, adapted as a TV series
Chances (1981) and Lucky (1985) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1990 miniseries
Lace (1982) by Shirley Conran, adapted as a 1984 miniseries
Sins (1982) by Judith Gould, adapted as a 1986 miniseries
Mistral's Daughter (1982) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1984 miniseries
Crossings (1982) by Danielle Steel, adapted as a 1986 miniseries
Hollywood Wives (1983) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1985 miniseries
Queenie (1985) by Michael Korda, adapted as a 1987 miniseries
Return to Eden (1985), novelised by Rosalind Miles
I'll Take Manhattan (1986) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1987 miniseries
Till We Meet Again (1988) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1989 miniseries
Dazzle (1990) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1995 miniseries
Lady Boss (1990) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1992 miniseries
Polo (1991) by Jilly Cooper
Torch Song (1993) by Judith Krantz
Appassionata (1996) by Jilly Cooper
Score! (1999) by Jilly Cooper
Pandora (2002) by Jilly Cooper
Wicked! (2006) by Jilly Cooper
Jump! (2010) by Jilly Cooper
Mount! (2016) by Jilly Cooper
Tackle! (2023) by Jilly Cooper

Genre history