Reviews

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

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katykelly's review against another edition

5.0

A short 6 audio discs, this was a 'comfort' read, one I've read before, seen the film of many times, and just fancied something a little seasonal between some heavier reads.

I enjoyed this hugely, just as much as on previous reads, and reading it as an audiobook worked very well. The narrator is a wonderful Bridget and the diary format translates well to audio

Bridget's diary over the course of a year as the thirty-something charts her search for true love is roughly based on my favourite book (the only other book I re-read each year) - Pride and Prejudice. I loved listening out for the similarities in plot and character. I'd forgotten that the stuck-up reindeer-jumper wearing Mr Darcy she meets over Christmas then disappears for a significant proportion of the book while other romantic entanglements and Singleton life (and calorie counting) take over.

While I absolutely HATE the smoking, drinking and food obsessions, I can ignore those for the vulnerable naivety of the adorably optimism of Ms Jones.

I know the film so well that it's almost a surprise when key scenes change or don't appear at all in the source novel, but I really enjoyed a trip back to Bridget's parents wobbly marriage, her 'urban family' of friends (better developed in the film I thought) and the toxic but hot relationship involving Daniel 'the slime' Cleaver.

The subplot involving her mum's boyfriend and how this turns out, I found I'd completely forgotten, so the ending took me by surprise, and though it ends well, I found I missed the film's final scenes.

That's what comes of being more familiar with the filmed versions of books than their source material though, but as this is itself a re-interpretation of an Austen novel, it's fair to say that changes are going to happen and decisions are made for a reason.

Loved my re-read. Will definitely want to listen to this again, and am currently trying to find books 2 and 3 on CD as well.

kissymel's review

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

laravnvst's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

debthebee's review against another edition

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1.0

Ovo je jedna od najgorih knjiga koju sam ikada pročitala.

kaykay38's review against another edition

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3.0

Calorie-filled, fat-induced read. Overall, pleasant experience. It seemed a bit anti-climactic. There were so many loopholes. It was a good, frivolous read.

I enjoyed Bridget's character and voice. She is funny and a realistic portrayal of one type of modern women. She's also predictable because her character is realistic. Fielding's use of abbreviations and choppy sentence structures really accentuate Bridget's character and voice. It was hard to get used to at first but became a charming feature.

jendilemma's review

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1.0

I was trying to sneak in a few quick books under the wire to complete my 2017 reading challenge (didn't happen in the end) so for some unknown reason I grabbed this from the library. Maybe this book spoke to a certain generation or a certain group of people at some point in time? If it was ever subversive or funny, it is DEFINITELY NOT in 2017/18, but hey, that's just me.