Bridget Jones’s Diary
by Helen Fielding
Summary
Sunday 1 January: 129 lbs. (but post-Christmas), alcohol units 14 (but effectively covers 2 days as 4 hours of party was on New Year’s Day), cigarettes 22, calories 5424.
From its beginning as a weekly column in a British newspaper, Bridget Jones’s Diary quickly became a best-seller in England. After gaining international popularity, it also shot to the top of the New York Times best-seller list. A 30-something single professional, Bridget Jones prefers a diary to a day planner for tracking her life. Each entry is an honest and hilarious step in her endless quest for self-improvement. (New Year’s Resolution: Go to the gym three times a week, not merely to buy a sandwich.) Caught between match-making relatives, other singles, and smug marrieds, Bridget records the triumphs and faux-pas of her life in this diary. Funny, witty, and, at times, charmingly innocent, Bridget Jones’s Diary has a voice that is absolutely authentic. You’ve seen the Bridgets of the world trot by on their way to the office or gym. Now, through Barbara Rosenblat’s narration, you’ll spend some wonderful hours in the company of one. But be warned: from the very first line, you’ll be laughing out loud and looking for friends to introduce to this wonderful young woman.
My Review
This movie is one of my all-time favorite romcoms, so I thought it was time that I finally read the book it’s based on. I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say, the narrator was absolutely fantastic. She brought Bridget to life with such energy and personality, making the listening experience highly entertaining. Her animated performance added so much charm to the story, making even the more frustrating moments enjoyable.
That being said, I have mixed feelings about the book itself. The diary format, while true to the concept, didn’t work well for me. It felt choppy and disjointed, making it hard to feel like I was following a cohesive story. While I appreciate the humor and wit throughout, I found myself preferring the movie, which had a much better flow and focused more on the romance. The book, on the other hand, felt more like a day-in-the-life of Bridget, with some romantic moments sprinkled in, rather than a strong central love story. I especially wished for more focus on Bridget and Mark’s relationship, which was much more developed in the film.
One thing I did appreciate was that, despite the frequent cursing (which I didn’t love), it remained a closed-door romance without any explicit spicy scenes. And while it’s definitely a product of its time—it was written in 1996, and it feels that way—it still has a lot of charm.
What truly made this book shine for me was Bridget herself. She’s quirky, crass, and endlessly relatable. She’s the kind of character you can’t help but root for, even when she’s making terrible decisions. There were moments when I just wanted to reach through the pages (or, in this case, the audio) and give her a hug. The book does a great job of capturing the struggles of self-acceptance, love, and modern life with a perfect blend of humor and heart.
Even though I didn’t love the writing style, I had a lot of fun with this book, and I’m curious enough to pick up the second one. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, hilarious romcom with a deeply endearing main character, this book is definitely worth a read (or a listen!). Highly recommend the audiobook!