Bridget Jones’s Diary

Author: Helen Fielding

Genre: Chick-Lit, Fiction

Originally Published: 1996

Format: Kindle (324 pages)

Goodreads:        Book         Author

Synopsis: Bridget Jones’s Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud account of a year in the life of a thirty-something Singleton on a permanent doomed quest for self-improvement. Caught between the joys of Singleton fun, and the fear of dying alone and being found three weeks later half eaten by an Alsatian; tortured by Smug Married friends asking, “How’s your love life?” with lascivious, yet patronizing leers, Bridget resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult and learn to program the VCR. With a blend of flighty charm, existential gloom, and endearing self-deprecation, Bridget Jones’s Diary has touched a raw nerve with millions of readers the world round. Read it and laugh—before you cry, “Bridget Jones is me!”

My Rating: ★★★ 1/2

I enjoyed reading Bridget Jones’s Diary. I have loved the film for such a long time. It has always been one of my go-to movies when I need some hilarity in my life.

Bridget as a character is up there with my favourites. Any single person in their late twenties/early thirties can identify with her on at least two different levels. Whether it be her internal dilemmas about her career choices, her cooking disasters, her impending loneliness, hilarious group of friends or her questionable relationship choices, everyone can relate to her. There are so many points in this book where I was sat laughing to myself thinking “OMG it’s me!” This made the book all the more effective.

It took me a while to get used to the writing style. Although I (obviously) expected this to be a diary, the way in which the entries were written made me stumble slightly at first. Once I got used to it, it became and endearing part of the novel. I couldn’t help but feel that I was gossiping with a best friend whilst reading this.

However, for me, this is one of those super rare occasions where I actually think the movie is better than the book. Aside from having an excellent cast, I think the movie just brings Bridget to life in such a loveable way that you don’t quite get from reading the book alone.

What did I love most about the book?

How relatable Bridget is as a character. There aren’t many books that I read where I feel I can fully identify with the characters, but this is definitely one of them. I’ve definitely had cooking disasters (although I’ve never turned my food blue!), I’ve had many awkward moments and usually find myself laughing them off with my closest friends. Bridget is an absolute darling.

Memorable Quotes

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.”

“Can officially confirm that the way to a man’s heart these days is not through beauty, food, sex, or alluringness of character, but merely the ability to seem not very interested in him.”

“I will not get upset over men, but instead be poised and cool ice-queen.”

“Emotional fuckwittage”

Final Thoughts

A great example of chick-lit. There is nothing which requires to much thought. Instead, you feel like you are spending time gossiping with a best friend, laughing at ups and downs, gossiping about relationships and throwing dinner parties. A good book, but the film will always be better for me.

Have you read Bridget Jones’s Diary? Did you prefer the book or the film?

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