Bridget Jones's Diary

In the course of the year recorded in Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget confides her hopes, her dreams, and her monstrously fluctuating poundage, not to mention her consumption of 5277 cigarettes and "Fat units 3457 (approx.) (hideous in every way)." In 365 days, she gains 74 pounds. On the other hand, she loses 72! There is also the unspoken New Year's resolution--the quest for the right man. Alas, here Bridget goes severely off course when she has an affair with her charming cad of a boss. But who would be without their e-mail flirtation focused on a short black skirt? The boss even contends that it is so short as to be nonexistent.

At the beginning of Helen Fielding's exceptionally funny second novel, the thirtyish publishing puffette is suffering from postholiday stress syndrome but determined to find Inner Peace and poise. Bridget will, for instance, "get up straight away when wake up in mornings." Now if only she can survive the party her mother has tricked her into--a suburban fest full of "Smug Marrieds" professing concern for her and her fellow "Singletons"--she'll have made a good start. As far as she's concerned, "We wouldn't rush up to them and roar, 'How's your marriage going? Still having sex?'"

This is only the first of many disgraces Bridget will suffer in her year of performance anxiety (at work and at play, though less often in bed) and living through other people's "emotional fuckwittage." Her twin-set-wearing suburban mother, for instance, suddenly becomes a chat-show hostess and unrepentant adulteress, while our heroine herself spends half the time overdosing on Chardonnay and feeling like "a tragic freak." Bridget Jones's Diary began as a column in the London Independent and struck a chord with readers of all sexes and sizes. In strokes simultaneously broad and subtle, Helen Fielding reveals the lighter side of despair, self-doubt, and obsession, and also satirizes everything from self-help books (they don't sound half as sensible to Bridget when she's sober) to feng shui, Cosmopolitan-style. She is the Nancy Mitford of the 1990s, and it's impossible not to root for her endearing heroine. On the other hand, one can only hope that Bridget will continue to screw up and tell us all about it for years and books to come. --Kerry Fried

View other editions of Bridget Jones's Diary.
View books by Helen Fielding.

*brilliant* ;) - Rated
Actually I don't like diary novels, I thought, when I considered reading this book. Now I'm glad that I did read it anyway, because now I know that I love at least one diary-book, in fact Bridget Jones's Diary!

This funny and lovely Book was written by Helen Fielding who was born in Yorkshire. Today she lives in London, where the story of Bridget Jones, the main character, takes place as well. Published in 1997, the book was very successful in England. Later it became a global best-seller.

With her first diary-entry, Bridget characterizes in a few sentences the whole generation of women which she belongs to: She's not only too thick, moreover she tries to stop smoking desperately. In addition, pursed by bad conscience, she counts how much alcohol she drinks each day. As if she, as a single woman in London at the age of 30, didn't have enough other problems, she makes the New Year's resolution to find a boyfriend within the next year. A nice one, to spend her life with. For example her boss Daniel Cleaver who is very attractive. He seems to be open for a relationship but only as long as it is uncomplicated and non-binding. This causes many problems.
Till next New Year's Eve it's not only her weight that goes up and down. It's the same with many other chapters in her life because she is very talented in walking into traps, what is always very funny and entertaining.

Well, all things considered the book tells a story about a chaotic, lovely and not-married woman who tries to change her life.
It is very entertaining with typical Brtitish-humour and much irony. I often had to laugh out loud when I was reading it and that is the reason why I'm giving this book five stars. Above all the characterization is brilliant and the writing excellent. The plot isn't really profund but nevertheless it's fascinating and
never boring. I think many women in the whole world can identify themselves with Bridget, so I think that the moral message of the book is the following: You're not alone with your problems. There are other people who share them with you. Just take it easy! ;)

I really enjoyed reading it and if you're looking for a funny book to get you in a good mood, you wouldn't find a better one, I think.

In Bridget's crazy live she nearly misses to find the right man but don't you miss to read more about it yourself. ;)

Totally hilarious. - Rated
Now this book is absolutely hilarious, easy to read and easy to understand. I could read this book repeatedly but I would reccommend this for the ages of 19 to infinity and beyond. While reading this book I was doubled up laughing and if i wasn't doubled up I was choking with laughter. Thank you and I hope this helps. Enjoy the book.

Hilarious easy reading - Rated
If you are wanting a novel that challenges you and makes you think.... Then maybe Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre are more for you. But, if you want a page turner that has you doubled over crying with laughter... this is your perfect book.
Its easy to read and one of the only books i have EVER read that has made me laugh out loud.
Some books make you think "oh thats funny" some books make you smile. This book will make you unable to read because the tears of laughter are blurring your vision!

Read it!

Whats the hype all about? - Rated
I saw the movie first and found it entertaining. A bit of harmless fun. The book was a complete dissapointment. I have nothing against the concept of a 30 something woman trying to improve her love life and trying to lose weight . But the quality of writing is so poor! Helen Fielding shows no talent whatsoever in bringing out the turmoils , the joys and vexations of such a woman's life. Its a trite commonplace piece of writing and I saw nothing worthy of literary merit in it.I cannot belive it was considered to be one of the top 100 novels of the 20th centuary. Its is a dissapointing and dismaying indicator of what taste is coming to in this centuary.

Please Write A Real Woman Character - Rated
This book has so many good reviews, but I struggle to see why. I read both and saw the films (against my will!) and can still not understand why some people refer to it as a modern classic. Bridget is not a realistic portrayal of a woman, but a very depressing one. So many of my female friends have asked me if I have had a 'Bridget' moment I want to smack them. NO! Don't be riddiculous. Not every woman feels the need to smoke like a chimney, drink like they are still a teenager and moan in an upper class voice about being single. Why does everything in a woman's live have to lead up to the idea that getting married is the be all and end all? This book only reinforces this notion and I am sick sick sick of it! It is chic lit we can do without. Since this book was published, the amount of copy cat books around has increased by 200% and it makes me sad. Women do not want a character created for them so they can feel better about themselves. Our lives have turned into a world off shallowness and consumerism and all we care about is getting a man down the isle and popping out a few kids. Isn't there more to life? Obviously not.