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Review: Bridget Jones's Diary, by Helen Fielding


This book is a classic of the "chick lit" genre- a book which no others has been able to touch. Bridget Jones, in a hectic year, experiences many of the things that real women face--work problems, men problems, friend problems, problems at home. But somehow Fielding manages to make all of it funny. Bridget is one of the wittiest, funniest characters I've run into in a long time. If you can believe it, in college, I read Bridget Jones's Diary for a Women Writers class!

This book is, of course, a takeoff of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice. However, by bringing her characters to a modern setting, Fielding somehow manages not to loose the original air that P&P possessed. The are the obvious Elizabeth and Darcy/Bridget and Darcy comparisons; the mother in Bridget Jones is a combination between Mrs. Bennet and Lydia (even down to running away with unsavory characters); and Daniel Cleaver as Mr. Wickham. Helen Fielding does not write at all like Jane Austen; but the ambience is roughly the same.

Comments

Lisa said…
I read this a couple weeks ago, and I have to say, I didn't really love it. I know it's supposed to be the beginning of all chicklit, but for me it didn't do it. I only saw the barest resemblance to P&P as well.
My review is here, if you're interested:
http://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/2008/07/bridget-joness-diary-by-helen-fielding.html
Anonymous said…
I read this several years ago and remembering thinking it was really funny. I read it before becoming involved with Austen books so, at the time, I didn't see the connection. Now that I read your review, it makes me want to reread this one now that I'm an Austen fan!
Anonymous said…
I saw the movie first because Colin Firth was in it! Then I completely forgot about the book. My friends have told me about the Pride and Prejudice connection and I'll pick it up for a fun read. :)
Anonymous said…
Have you seen the movie? It's pretty good (and has lots of eye candy - Colin Firth and Hugh Grant).
Anonymous said…
I read this a long time ago and I really enjoyed it. I haven't read any of the follow ups, but it did spark a short sprint of all British chik lit. :) The only other one I remember reading is Gemima J, which was okay.

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