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catbrigand's review against another edition
4.0
For what it is, it's good. Yes, I found the decision for Mark's death to be supremely disappointing. I would've rather read a book about them navigating parenthood together than Bridget doing it alone. But it's infinitely preferable to having Mark and Bridget split up, which was what I was afraid of when I noticed she had a new boyfriend at the first. I'm not happy with Mark's death. But for what it is--a woman having lost the love of her life, her career (?), at least a few of her friends, and trying to manage children alone--it's good. Not great. But good enough. I'd have liked it better if the romance between Bridget and Mr. Wallaker was more developed because while I did like him, it just didn't feel genuine with how rushed it was. But it is what it is. I'm glad at least that she finished the book less miserable than she'd started.
jeweleemc's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the_villager's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
If you're not a fan of Bridget Jones, don't think Helen Fielding is going to win you over with the third one. However, for those who have read her before or loved the movies, it's more gold from her. The book was funny, heartfelt and an infectious read. I only wish I could read it again!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
It's never easy to read a book with an unbiased mind, with so much speculation, expectation and vilification surrounding its release.
I was determined to read this. Pride and Prejudice is my favourite novel and I will always be fond of Fielding's modern adaptation and heroine in Bridget Jones' Diary. While the second book was hit and miss for me (more hit, admittedly), I really was interested to see how Fielding saw Bridget a decade down the line.
And the shock about Mark Darcy (I can't believe anyone reading this won't already know the storyline)? Pondering it, I thought.. Would I really want to hear about their married life? More minor misunderstandings and quarrels, breakup and makeups? Actually, I don't think I personally would. But for Helen Fielding to risk alienating her fans with the death of a much-loved hero was, really, a brave decision. But a good one in my opinion. Much as I loved Mark Darcy and would happily have married him myself. The book she's crafted on the back I his death is much the richer for him not being present. It feels disloyal to say it.
I've given this 5 stars but the book is by no means perfect. I'll elaborate later.
The story - in a nutshell and to avoid spoilers: five years after the tragic death of her husband Mark, Bridget Darcy (nee Jones) is a single mother of two young children and emerging from the worst stretch of grief to enter the modern world of technology, pushed into a world of dating by old friends, and we discover she has a younger man in her life. Younger by a full two decades...
I always did find Bridget loveable but infuriating at the same time. Such a martyr to the self-help book and such a ditz, these characteristics have been a little softened with age (she's now a shocking 51 numerically, which puts her in the 'that's the same age as my mum' bracket, which just feels wrong!) One of the aspects of the book that most impressed me was Bridget as Mother. You'd never picture 33-year old Bridget cuddling with two sick children in bed, reading bedtime stories, cooking them spaghetti bolognase (unless it were blue perhaps). But she does. As a mum myself, I found Bridget a hugely credible mother, the overwhelming love for a child that comes over you written realistically and movingly.
As was the portrait of a grieving widow. Seeing Bridget KBO (Keep Buggering On) but occasionally being overwhelmed by memories of love and loss had me in tears several times. A much more mature and emotional read than the previous two.
I liked that, though Mark is tangibly absent, Bridget pictures him and what he'd be thinking/doing in certain circumstances, keeping his presence felt (and the possibility open that Colin Firth will be cameoing in the surely-on-its-way adaptation).
Storylines involving Bridget's inevitable naive ditziness of course play a role. Texts are her new toy and play a large part in her relationships, and cause lots of laughs. Twitter too is sent up. And the ridiculous amount of remote controls and 'screens' we all seem to have collected in our homes. Bridget navigating modern technology puts the laughs back into the book that the sad situation might take out.
We have the role-call of minor supporting characters almost all present (miss you Shazza!), Mum and Una of course, and Tom and Jude (never my favourites, but both with small, pertinent roles to play in Bridget's story). Even Daniel is back (Hugh Grant will be pleased to be playing him as a fifty-something lech). I liked the direction Fielding has pushed him, actually. A few juicy scenes (no, not like that), and lots of the humour is his.
I warmed to Bridget's children as we saw them more through the book, though Mabel's lisp (and name!) grated with me. Their classmates names are hilarious (Spartacus possibly my favourite).
Some lovely 'family' episodes offer laughs - nits and doctors' surgery leaflets are the highlights. Trust me.
And Bridget's 'grown up' job - screenwriting. Takes us away from her family life which for me was the most interesting part, but has something to say about the movie business, and modernising the classics (wonder if Fielding as writer is at all self-referential here?). It's still an enjoyable segment.
I don't want to talk about the romance sections much, to avoid spoilers. But I liked these. Bridget comes across as desperately lonely, and does resort to some immature "why isn't he texting? When should I call?" moments, but the modern dating world was nicely treated as well as sent up. It seemed real.
Some criticisms? Besides Mabel's name (Mabel Darcy?!), I thought the inclusion of more sex scenes than either of the other books was unnecessary. We can use our imaginations. It got a little dull actually. I also found Bridget's weight gain and then subsequent loss a little worrying and don't think it needed to be in there. Didn't serve a purpose. And wasn't really factored into the story again. One other thing - saying 'heart' instead of 'love' (i.e. "I heart you" is REALLY annoying.
So overall... A brilliant end to the story of Bridget Jones. Not perfect, but the character has moved on. The writing has moved on. It's entertaining, moving and warm-hearted, like its heroine. VG.
I was determined to read this. Pride and Prejudice is my favourite novel and I will always be fond of Fielding's modern adaptation and heroine in Bridget Jones' Diary. While the second book was hit and miss for me (more hit, admittedly), I really was interested to see how Fielding saw Bridget a decade down the line.
And the shock about Mark Darcy (I can't believe anyone reading this won't already know the storyline)? Pondering it, I thought.. Would I really want to hear about their married life? More minor misunderstandings and quarrels, breakup and makeups? Actually, I don't think I personally would. But for Helen Fielding to risk alienating her fans with the death of a much-loved hero was, really, a brave decision. But a good one in my opinion. Much as I loved Mark Darcy and would happily have married him myself. The book she's crafted on the back I his death is much the richer for him not being present. It feels disloyal to say it.
I've given this 5 stars but the book is by no means perfect. I'll elaborate later.
The story - in a nutshell and to avoid spoilers: five years after the tragic death of her husband Mark, Bridget Darcy (nee Jones) is a single mother of two young children and emerging from the worst stretch of grief to enter the modern world of technology, pushed into a world of dating by old friends, and we discover she has a younger man in her life. Younger by a full two decades...
I always did find Bridget loveable but infuriating at the same time. Such a martyr to the self-help book and such a ditz, these characteristics have been a little softened with age (she's now a shocking 51 numerically, which puts her in the 'that's the same age as my mum' bracket, which just feels wrong!) One of the aspects of the book that most impressed me was Bridget as Mother. You'd never picture 33-year old Bridget cuddling with two sick children in bed, reading bedtime stories, cooking them spaghetti bolognase (unless it were blue perhaps). But she does. As a mum myself, I found Bridget a hugely credible mother, the overwhelming love for a child that comes over you written realistically and movingly.
As was the portrait of a grieving widow. Seeing Bridget KBO (Keep Buggering On) but occasionally being overwhelmed by memories of love and loss had me in tears several times. A much more mature and emotional read than the previous two.
I liked that, though Mark is tangibly absent, Bridget pictures him and what he'd be thinking/doing in certain circumstances, keeping his presence felt (and the possibility open that Colin Firth will be cameoing in the surely-on-its-way adaptation).
Storylines involving Bridget's inevitable naive ditziness of course play a role. Texts are her new toy and play a large part in her relationships, and cause lots of laughs. Twitter too is sent up. And the ridiculous amount of remote controls and 'screens' we all seem to have collected in our homes. Bridget navigating modern technology puts the laughs back into the book that the sad situation might take out.
We have the role-call of minor supporting characters almost all present (miss you Shazza!), Mum and Una of course, and Tom and Jude (never my favourites, but both with small, pertinent roles to play in Bridget's story). Even Daniel is back (Hugh Grant will be pleased to be playing him as a fifty-something lech). I liked the direction Fielding has pushed him, actually. A few juicy scenes (no, not like that), and lots of the humour is his.
I warmed to Bridget's children as we saw them more through the book, though Mabel's lisp (and name!) grated with me. Their classmates names are hilarious (Spartacus possibly my favourite).
Some lovely 'family' episodes offer laughs - nits and doctors' surgery leaflets are the highlights. Trust me.
And Bridget's 'grown up' job - screenwriting. Takes us away from her family life which for me was the most interesting part, but has something to say about the movie business, and modernising the classics (wonder if Fielding as writer is at all self-referential here?). It's still an enjoyable segment.
I don't want to talk about the romance sections much, to avoid spoilers. But I liked these. Bridget comes across as desperately lonely, and does resort to some immature "why isn't he texting? When should I call?" moments, but the modern dating world was nicely treated as well as sent up. It seemed real.
Some criticisms? Besides Mabel's name (Mabel Darcy?!), I thought the inclusion of more sex scenes than either of the other books was unnecessary. We can use our imaginations. It got a little dull actually. I also found Bridget's weight gain and then subsequent loss a little worrying and don't think it needed to be in there. Didn't serve a purpose. And wasn't really factored into the story again. One other thing - saying 'heart' instead of 'love' (i.e. "I heart you" is REALLY annoying.
So overall... A brilliant end to the story of Bridget Jones. Not perfect, but the character has moved on. The writing has moved on. It's entertaining, moving and warm-hearted, like its heroine. VG.
realgilmoregirl's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I expected, but gives Bridget the fond farewell she deserves. Hope they make it into a new movie--I'm sure Renee Zelwegger would love an opportunity to be in the limelight again.
emmalin's review against another edition
3.0
mark was killed off and I’m too sad to finish it :( why’d you have to kill him
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
I had a distinct advantage over most people who have read the Bridget Jones books. As a man, I read the series because I like reading books about real women, because I can gain insight into their thoughts and apply it to real life. Bridget is a perfect subject for such a study. Do I like Mark Darcy? Of course. Was I rooting for him and Bridget to get together just like everyone else? Naturally. But was I in love with him myself? No. Am I sad that he died? Sure, but since he is fictional and I never thought that there would be another Bridget Jones book, I have spent zero time thinking about him and have not continued to imagine that they were living happily ever after somewhere together. So was I upset that Fielding chose this plot device to launch a new book in the series? Not at all, because it means I get more Bridget.
I quite enjoyed returning to her crazy life and seeing how she handles kids, social media, middle age and dating as a widow. The humor is the same, even if there is no Mark Darcy to drool over. Don't dismiss this book just because you are upset about something that could happen in real life.
I quite enjoyed returning to her crazy life and seeing how she handles kids, social media, middle age and dating as a widow. The humor is the same, even if there is no Mark Darcy to drool over. Don't dismiss this book just because you are upset about something that could happen in real life.
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, I admit it. I like Bridget. In this we find an older one but she's still quirky. We have the absent, yet very present, character of Mark. New friends and old ones. More serious than normal but still flighty.
charlie_dws's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25