Bridget Jones's Diary
Ratings315
Average rating3.5
Two stars because it is not necessarily bad, just repetitive. There's no way I can make it through a whole year of this so I'm closing the book in April. I almost never say this but: the movie is better.
Bridget Jones is a thirty-something singleton who decides to take control of her life by recording her encounters with the opposite sex and her eating and drinking habits in a diary.
The result is a hilarious and touching account of one woman's search for self-improvement and love in 1990s London.
Bridget Jones's Diary is an immensely likeable book. It's funny, poignant and, above all, relatable.
Few women will be able to read it without seeing themselves in Bridget's shoes at some point. And that is perhaps the book's greatest strength.
Helen Fielding has created a character that readers can't help but root for, despite her many flaws. Bridget is an everywoman and her trials and tribulations will strike a chord with anyone who has ever tried (and failed) to change their life for the better.
The book is also very well written. Fielding has a sharp eye for detail and a keen ear for dialogue, both of which are on display in Bridget's diary entries.
All in all, Bridget Jones's Diary is a highly enjoyable read. It's funny, moving and, above all, relatable. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh and make you think, then this is it.
The book was fine. I don't recommend reading it if you have suffered from ED in the past. Every page talks about weight loss and sometimes there would be multiple instances on one page. It was interesting to see the differences between the book and the movie. They made some smart decisions to cut some of the plot of the book for the movie script. I won't be seeking out the sequel(s) but it's good to tick this off the TBR.
This is another book that I read a long time ago. In fact, I read this book before it came out in paperback, so I would assume we're talking 1997 or so. I don't remember a ton about it other than the fact that it was enjoyable but not great.
I am a fan of the 2001 film based on this book starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Colin Firth, so naturally I was drawn to reading the book that started it all. Aside from not being able to relate completely to Bridget's weight loss woes (in either book or her movie counterpart - I would give anything to weigh between 120-135 pounds!) it was a quick and entertaining read.
No surprise, the book reads just like a diary: complete with dates and times and crossed out lines and emotional, post-2 AM-drunken entries agonizing one's love life.
For me, I found myself both absolutely frustrated with Bridget - only to turn the page and discover that sometimes, yes - I am just as silly and hot-tempered and fickle. My favorite element was the constant throwback to New Year's resolutions (and the difficulty in keeping them), which makes this a timely book for the end of the year around the holidays.
Overall, I am more likely to re-watch the movie again before re-reading the book, however I am appreciative of having a better understanding of Bridget because of this darling little book.
ok this book has all kinds of wacky shit in there i extremely hate about how internet voice We Live In A Society BUT it is one i return to. it's easy. i love the movie. it isn't very good. but i really like bridget jone's diary
I've never seen the movie so I figured I might as well read the book after all this time. It's cute and funny and nostalgic, reminds me a bit of the Angus, Thongs (Georgia Nicholson) series, but for adults. Haha. I imagine if this was written now, it'd be extremely problematic. It's kind of annoying at parts, especially how she records her weight and calories eaten every day and then beats herself up about it. It seems she has a genuine eating disorder that isn't at all addressed, but instead made into a joke. It's not cute. I'm trying to chalk it up to the time period because for some reason people didn't know better even though they should have. So if you push that part aside, it was cute and funny. I'd read the second one just to pass the time. But it's nothing to write home about.
Would I recommend?
Eh. Did you like the Georgia Nicholson series as a kid/teen? Then sure. Or do you like 90s-ish british humour? Sure. Otherwise, may be a pass.
Trigger warning for ED.
1.5, really, but I'm feeling generous. It had its moments, just not very many of them.
So, I've never seen the movie and thought I should read the book before attempting to watch it plus... I mean, if it was made into a movie it should be pretty good right?
Apparently not to me.
Perhaps it is because I was born in 91 so, I can't relate? Or maybe it is because I'm American and not British? Most of the humor and writing really rubbed me the wrong way. I thought her friends were stupid or horrible to her and her life was crazy! Usually crazy is okay but it was weird yet in a supposed to be slice of life book.... I couldn't get behind it.
I seriously still can't get over how she allowed her friends to talk bad about her weight when she was struggling with it and they never brought up her problem even when Tom knew about it.
Daniel? her boss?? A pig! and all the other guys were awful– are these the types of men women really put up with?
Yeah, wasn't a fan but as I said, it could be I just didn't understand the humor and the funny parts I think would be better on the screen and not told like it was in the book.
Well that was a super fun, super quick anti-reading-slump book. I feel nicely refreshed. Now onto the next Outlander series doozy.
Finally getting around to this one...made me actually laugh out loud at some points. Good, fun, light read.
Hard to get used to the fact that it is actually written in a diary form but it was a very clever idea. I really enjoyed this book actually. It was a lot of fun and definitely worth reading if you're looking for a light hearted read
The only book I have read twice, so much better then the movie! Now dying to read Edge of Reason again.
“It struck me as pretty ridiculous to be called Mr Darcy and to stand on your own looking snooty at a party. It's like being called Heathcliff and insisting on spending the entire evening in the garden, shouting ‘Cathy' and banging your head against a tree.”
Bridget Jones is the only book character I talk about as if she were one of my friends. Bridget got so much trash in the 90s for being weight-obsessed and man-obsessed but honestly, she is a true hero and role model. The best thing about Bridget Jones is how she keeps making stupid, embarrassing mistakes and just soldiers on. I also admire how she smiles and makes a joke of it when people are obnoxious to her. Me, somebody gives me a look and I say hateful things with my sharp tongue. But Bridget is all kindness. We all should try to be more like her. And plus, the book is freaking hilarious.
