Rating: 
Summary: Bridget Jones -- Not the Anti-Feminist She is Made Out to Be
Review: I began Bridget Jones' Diary expecting to be amused, entertained, and equipped with a quick beach read. Rather than wait, however, I consumed this novel within two days, neither of which was spent at the beach -- although it was a light, quick read. Those in search of deep meaning and revelation need look elsewhere for satisfaction -- Diary is the literary equivalent of a (good) quickie -- short, sweet, and to the point, but with a long-lasting impact.The one unpleasant reaction I had was not to the book itself, but to the backlash against it. i didn't set out reding this book looking for a feminist hero -- the jacket clearly presents Bridget as a neurotic, self-conscious woman. In none of the feminist rebuttals of Fielding's book is there any mention of Bridget's friends' reactions to her final achievement of her ideal weight -- 119 lbs. Their response is hardly enthusiastic -- they tell her she looks ill, "deflated," and so on. And again, when Bridget finally gets the right man, she weighs (a staggering -- good lord, the poundage!) 129 lbs. Rather than remain in a dead-end job at her publishing company (where she unwisely becomes involved with her boss), Bridget branches out in the world and becomes a television reporter for a trachy channel. She gets a job she nejoys and works with people who begin to respect her rather than chide her for her laziness (but let's admit -- who wouldn't rather sunbathe than go to work?). Nor is there any mention in this feminist backlash of how supportive Bridget is of both her parents throughout their separation, nomention of the men she rejects (yes, even the neurotics have their standards), no word about her best friends Tom,Jude, and Shazzer, all of whom have valubale and sensible input. Perhaps these examples hardly justify Bridget's neuroses as a fair representation of women -- perhaps she is still damaging to the collective female psyche -- but I would disagree. Bridget does not undermine Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem's hard work ! -- she simply represents the result of it. And if they don't like it, then they should do something about it rather than sit back and complain. Which is something, I suspect, they might accuse Ms. Jones of engaging in.
Rating: 
Summary: New phrases coined with much delight
Review: I absolutely loved this book and have recommended it to everyone I know - single, married, gay, straight alike. We are all beginning to speak in terms of singletons and smug marrieds and emotional fuckwits. This book definitely deserves and lives up to the hype around it. Everyone living in the modern world can relate - we have all experienced a "Bridget Jones moment" at some point or another. Thank you Helen Fielding for so brilliantly capturing our lives on paper.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow? Maybe. True nonetheless? ABSOLUTELY.
Review: The biggest objections to this book seem to be the same objections that Ally Mcbeal gets (hence the endless comparisons). That Bridget isn't strong enough, deep enough, independent enough. The thing is, most of us don't feel strong enough, deep enough, or independent enough. Which is what makes Bridget Jones such a hilarious book. If you've *ever* worried about superficial things (weight, clothes, etc. And who hasn't?) you'll "get it" and love it.
Rating:
Summary: A fun read
Review: I cannot understand someone calling this book "pathetic". I throughly enjoyed this book. The one thing that did drive me crazy was Bridget's mother. I think that it was over the top and did not enjoy reading about her at all. She was so frustrating, and not in an endearing way. I , too wish there was a bit more to this book, I felt a little cheated. Although, I thought it was glorious when Daniel called drunk,wanting to come over. I also, thought that the drunk entries were hilarious. I think this is one book I will be re-reading.
Rating:
Summary: Go, Bridget, Go!!
Review: I loved Bridget! Although I am a relatively new Smug Married, I could still relate to many things she wrote about! I was actually a bit sad when I finished it! I can't wait for the sequel to find out what happens to Bridget, Mark Darcy, Sharon, Tom and the rest of the bunch! For the critics that have been busy panning it as "utilizing every stereotype of women" and "bringing the death of feminism"- ease up! It is a fun book and a lot of laughs!
Rating:
Summary: Therapy bound between two covers...
Review: Thank you, Helen, for making me feel "normal" (whatever that is) once again! I am not alone! I have recommended this book to all of my fellow "singletons," and even a few "smug marrieds." Fabulous read-- funny and poignant! This just goes to show that we are all truly alike, whether in London or Cowtown, Texas-- scary, but true!
Rating:
Summary: Clever, quirky, and thoroughly delightful!
Review: Bridget may be neurotic and obsessive, but she jumps into the head of every smug singleton and reports exactly what is going on there. It is a cleverly written book which is a must read for any woman in her twenties, thirties, or older and any man who loves, likes, lives, or works with women.
Rating:
Summary: HILAIOUS!!! VERY WITTY, GETS YOU RIGHT IN.
Review: I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE ENJOYED THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS I DID. THE COVER LOOKS INTERESTING , BUT DIDN'T REALLY SEEM LIKE MY CUP OF TEA. BUT WHEN I STARTED TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER I KNEW THAT THIS BOOK WAS COMING HOME WITH ME. FOR 2WEEKS I TOOK IT EVERYWHERE AND LAUGHED OUT LOUD IN PUBLIC LIKE AN IDIOT. EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT BK. END
Rating: 
Summary: If you like the comic strip Cathy, you'll like this book.
Review: I, unfortunately, can't stand Cathy. And although I found Bridget to be enjoyable and frequently funny, I don't like her too much either. There's nothing wrong with wanting love in your life, but this seems to be Bridget's entire focus. Maybe I am not a "normal" woman, but I can't believe women really find this obsession with food, looks and men something to admire/enjoy/identify with. I enjoyed the style and the funny situations presented, and I realize that Bridget is Bridget and it's not her job to represent all women, but I don't think simply finding a man is going to help her much at all. I would have liked her to come to some level of happiness/realization without needing a man. I really didn't like the ending, and the fact that it was obvious from the beginning didn't help. A final thought: Ally McBeal is funny, smart, has a good career and good friends, and every week struggles to find herself and her place in the world. OK, she's neurotic at times and she too would really like a man in her life, but I dare say her diary would be filled with all sorts of interesting things. Both Ally and Bridget are probably not the healthiest examples of women in the 90's, but if I had to pick one to be my best friend, I'd pick Ally hands down.
Rating:
Summary: Clever, funny, and highly entertaining!
Review: This book was so easy to read it went by far too quickly! I enjoyed every single page of it! Bridget Jones is lovable, neurotic, paranoid, charming, indulgent, and utterly fascinating! I'm recommending this book to all my friends and family to read -- it's a perfect summer novel! Lots of fun!
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