Sunday, May 15, 2011

Book of the day: "Bridget Jones's Diary"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding:
"130 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds overnight? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier (repulsive, horrifying notion)); alcohol units 2 (excellent) cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow); number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..."

This laugh-out-loud chronicle charts a year in the life of Bridget Jones, a single girl on a permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement--in which she resolves to: visit the gym three times a week not merely to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and not fall for any of the following: misogynists, megalomaniacs, adulterers, workaholics, chauvinists or perverts. And learn to program the VCR.

Caught between her Singleton friends, who are all convinced they will end up dying alone and found three weeks later half-eaten by an Alsatian, and the Smug Marrieds, whose dinner parties offer ever-new opportunities for humiliation, Bridget struggles to keep her life on an even keel (or at least afloat). Through it all, she will have her readers helpless with laughter and shouting, "BRIDGET JONES IS ME!" (Summary courtesy of BookBrowse.)

Melissa P:
Hilarious, fun, and witty. I love how Fielding really taps into the daily struggles women feel in regards to weight and beauty. I also enjoyed how silly and self-deprecating Bridget was, it made me love her even more.

Melissa A:
My first experience with chick lit before I even knew what chick lit was all about. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the story (and got weird looks for doing so). It was so candid and cleverly written. I even loved the movie version. As Jen Lancaster says in her latest novel, "'Bridget Jones's Diary' is classic literature. Ask anyone."

Author, and host of The Lit Chick Show, Sylvia Massara shares her thoughts on this book and how it both saved and inspired her. Check it out and then visit our Facebook page for a special e-book giveaway from Sylvia, in honor of International Chick Lit Month!





More by Helen Fielding:




19 comments:

Jeryl M. said...

Never read the book. I liked the movie though.

S.Sabia said...

Oh I absoultely love this book. The movie too!
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BRN2SHOP9 said...

I loved the movies, but never read the books. They are on my TBR list.

Linda Kish said...

Loved the book and the movie.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Margie said...

Saw the movie but never read the book. But I'd probably like it.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Josie Brown said...

I was lucky enough to read the British version of BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY before the US edition came out. It was like falling into a honeypot of heaven. Talk about a great character -- always in wry voice! I gladly revisit it every couple of years. Great choice!

Lady KT said...

Bridget Jones Diary is an adjective in my and my BFF lives. We describe incidents and moments as being Bridget Jones. When a character and book is that relatable, then it is an instant classic.

Literary Marie said...

Bridget Jones's Diary really is a classic. Loved the movie! Amazingly, I only read the book once when it first released. It was borrowed from the library. I wish to own a copy so I can read it again and add to my collection.

LiteraryMarie (at) gmail (dot) com
PrecisionReviews.blogspot.com

Alison said...

I loved this book! The only problem was I started writing e-mails and blogs (livejournal at the time I read the book) the same was she did.

Nina said...

ahh, a truly special and great book! The follow up, The Edge of Reason makes me laugh out loud every time!!!
nina565(at)aol(dot)com

Krystal Lynn said...

The one that started it all and I still haven't read it. Something about the movie version of Bridget (Renee Z) made me keep away. I'll probably get to it this summer..

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Tiffany Drew said...

i haven't read the book, and I haven't seen the movie from beginning to end. Only parts here and there. I am not a very big fan of Renee's, but I do love Colin and Hugh. I think I'd rather read the book than watch the movie, so I will have to look into getting myself copy since everyone seems to love it!

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Unknown said...

ah... a chick lit staple!
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Literary Chanteuse said...

I read it and the sequel and hate to admit that I acutally liked the movie better.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Shaz Goodwin said...

Loved the book, loved the movie (hear next movie getting closer too!). What a winner Bridget Jones is :)

shaz (dot) goodwin (at) sky (dot) com

Bec said...

Love both books, and both films. Classic!

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Anonymous said...

Sounds like a book I will have to check out.

jenceyg@msn.com

Kat said...

I know I commented about this on the FB page, not here. Loved the movie (and even the sequel was pretty good) but have not read the book. Definitely high up on my list.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Sarah said...

I haven't read the book nor seen the movie:)

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