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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Puts the comedy into love triangles and neurotic obsession with alcohol and cigarette consumption. A very funny book, owes more than a little to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book felt both unbelievably outdated and current at the same time. This book shows Bridget’s, supposedly representative of all women’s, issues regarding body image, relationships, career and family, all of which are very real and nuanced. However, all I could think when reading is that they would be written about so differently in 2025 therefore dating this book much more than I feel should be for something that isn’t historical fiction.
For example, Bridget is obsessed with her weight, body size and calorie intake, which is repeatedly mentioned, with no reference to the natural fluctuation of a women’s body throughout the week/ month. This would be explicitly stated in a book written today however I feel most probably it would not have been included at all due to Bridget almost definitely having an eating disorder, and seeking no treatment for it. In media nowadays, there is much more focus on body positivity which I recognise was not the same in the 90s when this was written, but it does make it a difficult read.
Other issues with the book when reading it today include racist and homophobic language, clear power dynamic between Bridget and Daniel (her boss who she starts dating) and her obsession (fuelled by her mum, family and wider social circle) with “settling down”. It is emphasised how she feels left out by being the ‘only single one left’ despite her 3 best friends being single or at least in on-off relationships throughout.
My final issue with this book is that I wholeheartedly believe the film is BETTER. The film portrays Bridget as silly but sweet which adds to her charm whereas the book doesn’t seem to show any character trait of hers at all, she’s slightly clumsy and awkward but it’s not endearing or funny. There’s also a few details changed for the film which work better such as Bridget’s dad being more involved, change to how she realises Daniel is cheating on her, her mum being a ‘criminal’ (which I’m glad was removed entirely for the film) and the ending with Mark Darcy. This is such a memorable moment in the film but is a nothing moment in the book. I kept waiting for the book to impress me or make me realise why I loved the film but it didn’t, in fact I can’t imagine someone in Hollywood reading this book and deciding to make it into a film.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No