The books I have gone through lately have dealt with serious stuff, so I needed something lighter to read for the holidays. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding came out a few months ago, and I thought it would be a good time to go through the whole series again.
For those of you who have been hiding under a rock for the last 20 years and haven’t read the book or seen the movie, Bridget Jones’s Diary is the story of a single woman in her thirties in London, England. This is a hilarious book about failed relationships and unsuccessful attempts at losing weight. It is also a sharp critique of modern society where women have to have a husband, children, a house in the suburbs and a fulfilling job to be considered a success. While the story feels a bit dated (no cell phones!), the issues are still very much what a single woman would experience nowadays. In addition, Bridget Jones is a lovable character because she is not perfect, and she makes mistakes. As a result, we identify with her and understand her struggles.
Bridget Jones’s Diary has paved the way for many romantic comedies and TV series (Sex and the City anyone?), and I am really grateful for the laughs and tears it has brought on.
To read the review for the second book in the series: Bridget Jones, the Edge of Reason
Fun facts about the book and the author:
- Bridget Jones’s Diary is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
- The book is made up of the columns Helen Fielding wrote anonymously for The Independent starting in October 1995.
- Helen Fielding is friends with Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean).
- The author has never married.
If you liked this book you might also like:
The Bridget Jones series is by far one of my favourites. And the movies are really fun too!
I know! I’m going to watch the movies again to compare them with the books. It’s been a long time I’ve seen them!