A review by vivisms_82
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, and Body shaming

Minor: Sexism and Racial slurs

Liked this book but is does feature some of the worst of the 90s that I am happy I no longer live in - Gen Z women, you are lucky you dodged the 90s bullet!!.... unhealthy weight obsessions, everywhere this notion you needed a man and babies to be "complete', casual racism, creepy bosses getting away with everything with zero consequences (she gets called a bleeding, bloody idiot by a boss and in front of her colleagues!)... could go on and on :/