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Bridget Jones's Diary

Book 1 in the series:Bridget Jones

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'Bridget Jones's Diary' by Helen Fielding follows the humorous and relatable journey of a 30-something singleton, Bridget Jones, as she navigates through love, career, family relationships, and everyday struggles. The book is written in diary format, providing an intimate look into Bridget's life, showcasing her imperfections, quirky personality, and self-deprecating humor. Through a series of hilarious anecdotes, Bridget's character resonates with readers as she grapples with societal expectations, self-doubt, and the pursuit of happiness in a modern world.

The novel cleverly weaves elements of humor, romance, and self-discovery, drawing parallels to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' while maintaining a unique and contemporary narrative. Bridget's endearing yet flawed character, coupled with the witty and candid writing style, captures the essence of a relatable and charming protagonist, making 'Bridget Jones's Diary' a delightful and engaging read for anyone seeking a light-hearted and entertaining story.

Characters:

The characters include the relatable and insecure Bridget, the idealistic Mark Darcy, and the charming but untrustworthy Daniel Cleaver, each contributing to Bridget's journey.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by a relatable and humorous diary format that captures Bridget's thoughts and experiences, blending lighthearted humor with depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Bridget Jones as she documents her struggles with self-image, love, and career in a humorous diary format, featuring a chaotic love life and personal growth.

Setting:

The setting is modern-day London, capturing the urban lifestyle of single women navigating their personal and professional lives.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, facilitated by short diary entries that balance humor with moments of personal reflection, keeping the reader engaged.
Noon. London: my flat. Ugh. The last thing on earth I feel physically, emotionally or mentally equipped to do is drive to Una and Geoffrey Alconbury's New Year's Day Turkey Curry Buffet in Grafton Und...

Notes:

Bridget Jones's Diary is written in a diary format, chronicling a year in the life of the titular character, Bridget Jones.
Bridget is a 30-something singleton living in London, dealing with issues related to weight, relationships, and career.
The book humorously highlights the social pressure on women to conform to ideals about marriage and appearance.
Bridget makes New Year’s resolutions that include losing weight and finding a boyfriend, which sets the stage for her comedic misadventures.
Bridget's character is often compared to Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, particularly in her relationships with Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy.
The term 'fuckwittage' is used in the book to describe the emotional pitfalls caused by men, emphasizing Bridget's frustrations with dating.
Bridget's obsession with counting calories, cigarettes, and alcohol units provides a humorous yet relatable insight into her struggles with self-image.
Fielding's writing is noted for its wit and humor, making Bridget a likable yet flawed character that many readers can relate to.
The book tackles serious themes like self-esteem, societal expectations, and the complexity of modern womanhood while maintaining a light-hearted tone.
Despite its comedic elements, the book addresses deeper anxieties faced by women in the 21st century, making it more than just a frivolous read.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Potential content warnings include body shaming, smoking, drinking, and themes of anxiety and relationship struggles.

Has Romance?

Yes, romance is a significant aspect of the narrative, with Bridget exploring her feelings towards Daniel and Mark, leading to a central love story.

From The Publisher:

USA Today's top 100 books to read while stuck at home social distancing

The iconic #1 bestseller by Helen Fielding; Bridget Jones is now the inspiration for the September 2016 Working Title film release of Bridget Jones's Baby, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey and Emma Thompson.

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!"

Ratings (81)

Incredible (11)
Loved It (35)
Liked It (23)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (5)

Reader Stats (122):

Read It (82)
Want To Read (24)
Not Interested (16)

7 comment(s)

1 month

I read this in either 1999 or 2000. It was laugh out loud funny at the time.

 
Liked It
5 months

Funny.

 
Loved It
1 year

Like Bridget, Catherine is a little clumsy, a little average 'girl next door' so the last person she expects to fall in love with her is a Hollywood superstar.

 
Loved It
1 year

As a mature single person at the time of reading, I related well with the ambitious, professional, yet ditzy, Bridget, floundering from one day to another wondering why things never went right for me, without realising it was probably just me! Bridget Jones is a well written, fun story that many can relate to. From body issues, dodgy friends that give you their untold wisdom based on nothing . A lot of us like to see we are not alone in our daily chaos.

 
Loved It
1 year

Bridget Jones is such a relatable, funny, much loved character. Feeling her cringey moments and seeing the way she reacts is so true to life. I can feel her pain and her joy! This is a laugh out loud read and leaves you feeling like you’ve got a new best friend!

 
Incredible
1 year

This is one of my all time favourite books. I love its style with its humour, self-deprecation and cleverness. I love how this book is relatable and, while funny, it also makes you think about modern day women's issues.

 
Loved It
1 year

How can you not love Bridget Jones? She's funny, sad, and thoughtful. The whole story is a wonderful love story full of disasters all the way.

 

About the Author:

Helen Fielding is the author of Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries. She was part of the screenwriting team on the associated movies. She has two children and…

 
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