Bridget Jones's Diary
Ratings224
Average rating3.5
1.5, really, but I'm feeling generous. It had its moments, just not very many of them.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
The only book I have read twice, so much better then the movie! Now dying to read Edge of Reason again.
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.
“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.”
Well that was a super fun, super quick anti-reading-slump book. I feel nicely refreshed. Now onto the next Outlander series doozy.