Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Bridget Jones's Diary

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

19 reviews

julianapmeyer's review against another edition

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funny relaxing fast-paced

3.5

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vivisms_82's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I mostly enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud at times. The narrator is absolutely marvellous in bringing all the characters to life! Bridget is 32 years old, likeable, and just like many of us stumbles her way through life and romantic relationships. HOWEVER, I did have some issues with this book; one in particular was her normalised, regular and excessive alcohol consumption which was kind of treated as no biggy and a bit of a "woopsy" when she consumed a lot, which was nearly ALL OF THE TIME. It seems to be used as a trivial and flippant way to make her seem relatable, you know "just a flawed young woman." When really she is an alcoholic.

**Book was first published in 1996 and should be noted that some dialogue and situations that were perhaps deemed passable and even considered humorous then are most definitely not now (thank goodness) ie derogatory slurs used to reference someone who is from Portugal, grossly inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power by bosses, very minimised abuse of alcohol and cigarettes

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mary_lake's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

*reread*

just as fun and soul soothing as i remember! miss bridget jones you are my her

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mary_lake's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

*reread*

just as fun and soul soothing as i remember! miss bridget jones you are my her

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courtneys_reading's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

Not going to lie the whole time I was reading this I wish I had been watching the movie lol

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clarney12's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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jessietn's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.5

This has not aged particularly well. However, it does provide readers with an insightful snapshot of the toxic diet culture of the 90s and early 2000s. While Bridget's obsession with her weight might be triggering for many women who grew up during this time, in my opinion the novel did not condone her behaviour. Instead, there were several points where it was made clear that her weight goals were unhealthy and unrealistic -- when she finally reaches her goal weight, her friend Tom tells her gently that he thought she looked better before and that she isn't her usual self. I think this was handled with less tact in the film.

There were some truly funny lines, and I liked that there was less of Daniel Cleaver than in the film (and that it was made more obvious from the outset that he was an "emotional fuckwit" who was bad for Bridget), but there was probably more cringeworthiness than humour overall... and the ending was just bewilderingly stupid (as was the entire Julio plotline). I would probably only recommend it only for fans of the film or of Bridget as a flawed and relatable character.

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