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Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1)
Bridget Jones's Diary - Bridget Jones, Bk 1
Author: Helen Fielding
Meet Bridget Jones -- a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could: — a. lose 7 pounds — b. stop smoking — c. develop Inner Poise — "129 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780140280098
ISBN-10: 014028009X
Publication Date: 5/24/1999
Pages: 271
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 716

3.8 stars, based on 716 ratings
Publisher: Penguin Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

CheriePie avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I really enjoyed this book. Having seen the movie first, which is one of my favorites by the way, I found a number of differences, mostly just things that made the action happen faster, but some scenes were added even to the movie, such as the fight between Daniel and Mark. Unlike the movie, Bridget wasn't under the impression that Mark stole Daniel's fiance as happened in the movie. I was trying to figure out why this difference, but I guess it made a strong case for the dislike between the two guys very obvious. So even though the movie wasn't true to the book on a few issues, and there were some scenes in the movie that never occurred in the book, I still like them both equally. Besides, seeing the movie first, and picturing Hugh Grant (YUMMY!) in my mind whenever there was talk of Daniel, well I kinda liked that.

As I was reading, I found myself continually pointing out all the things Bridget was doing wrong with regards to dieting, time management, and so on... all the things she kept saying she was going to work on. For instance, she'd often count calories without any consideration for the food content itself. She's very disorganized and though the author claims that the reader will often think they see themselves in Bridget, I didn't find this to be the case at all with me. Instead, I found myself thinking of her as an unenlightened soul, whom as a friend, I wanted desperately to help to set her on the right path by pointing out to her all the little things she's doing wrong. LOL

This book was a very quick read. I got it read pretty much over a long weekend, even though we had friends from out of town staying at our house. It was just that easy to read in bed and not want to put down. :) I'm looking forward to the 2nd book in this series, which I should have soon.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Well written story with wry humor. The book is MUCH better than the movie.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 193 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Such a funny story. I read the book long before the movie came out. The movie didn't do it justice.
CozyLover avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 335 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Having never seen the movie I thought I would enjoy the book, but couldn't get into it at all. I kept hoping for it to get better, for Bridget to stop wallowing in alcohol, low self esteem and food, to GET A LIFE! But she never did. The whole thing left me feeling rather flat.
xserafinx avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
"I'm a forty-something, 20-odd year married male with absolutely no connection to Bridget Jones or any of the characters in this book, and still I find it a hoot. I just love the witty phrasing and preposterous, although for many, I'm sure, realistic, situations Bridget finds herself in.

My wife and I saw the movie recently, and also the follow-up, and had to get the books, too. The storyline is basically the same, but there are many deviances from the movie, enough so that the book feels perfectly fresh and unspoiled.

If you just enjoy witty twists on the English language, you'll probably have fun with this book regardless of what you may think of the plot-line and structure. I'm certain though, that people who live a life similar to Bridget's will have even more fun reading her diary."
- W.G.
Read All 161 Book Reviews of "Bridget Joness Diary Bridget Jones Bk 1"

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reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
Hilarious look at life of "singleton" in Britain. Echoing "Pride and Prejudice" in a modern way, it is a very enjoyable read.
DameEdna avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Funny, ingenuous - makes you really like Bridget, despite her shortcoming. A really fun read.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 74 more book reviews
A glimpse inside of Bridget's head is always a treat.
freeverse071681 avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 609 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Very entertaining. Not what I expected from the movie.
portabellopig avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
I've never seen the movie version of this, so I was really looking forward to enjoying the book. Jones is such a chaotic, immature thirtysomething that I had a really hard time feeling sympathy or joy for her various situations, and her mother is insufferable; it felt more like reading a psychological profile than an enjoyable piece of fiction. Two stars for clear writing and a few chuckles, but overall I wouldn't recommend.
starknits avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
This book was better than the movie. I really enjoyed reading the "diary" though it did take a little getting used to. Parts were quite hilarious and at other times you cringed with Bridget.
pommesdeterre8 avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on
I love books in diary form. Read this a while ago. Very funny.
crisislady avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
This is over 15 years old, but still enjoyed reading it very much. Helen Fielding writes with such wit. With a daughter who didn't get married until she was 40 (wedding was this summer), it was a very poignant story about what it is like to be in your 30's and single. Now that she is happily married, I am recommending that she read it.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Super cute and witty! A fun read to remind women we are all a little dysfunctional!
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Never laughed so hard while reading a book before!
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
I loved this book. From the New Years resolutions that get broken, the daily weigh-ins, the cigarette counts and all the other wacky things that happen to Bridget Jones in a year. It was a very funny, light read. The only thing that had me wondering is how can 130 pounds be considered fat?
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
This book is an easy and light hearted read. It will definitely make you laugh.
themissiah avatar reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Very funny read. I've read both Bridget Jones books and seen the movies. All are great and hilarious. It's also a very easy and quick read.
reviewed Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
A fun look at the life of an thirtyish single English woman.

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Bridget Jones  1 of 2
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