Rating: Summary: Hurrah! More of the Same! Review: WHY did this book have to end? Why, why, why? I loved it. I adored it. I want more. Urges to reread book immediately, 8 million, four thousand. Cigarettes: Nil. Alcohol units: Nil. Chocolate: 4000 ounces, but only because there isn't another Bridget book to read.It isn't often that a sequel can grab a reader as thoroughly as the first book, especially when that first is such a blockbuster, as was "Bridget Jones' Diary." But in my mind, this one was just as wonderful--simply a continuation of where "Book 1" left off! All of our favorites are here, and a few new ones too, like Gary the Builder, who creates a giant hole in the wall of Bridget's flat--and leaves it there for 8 months. Not much of the horrid Daniel, thank goodness, but PLENTY of Marc Darcy, unfortunately caught in the clutches of the evil Rebecca (she of the insect-thin legs). Will Mister Darcy come back to Bridget? Will the hole in the wall ever get fixed? And what of the drug-running charges in Thailand? Read it and fine out, and be prepared to laugh yourself sick. Note to self: Write to author, ask for another book, tell her self is pining away without it...
Rating: Summary: You know what they say about sequels... Review: While this book was an excellent read in itself, I believe it failed to reach the bar already set by the first one.
Rating: Summary: Doom¿Doom Review: This review refers to the unabridged CD version which is 10 discs. The performance by Barbara Rosenblat is spectacular. Narrator Barbara Rosenblat is an accomplished actor and singer and is a sought-after narrators. She was born in London and raised in America. She amazes the listener with her deft handling of an incredible variety of dialects and regional accents. She captures Bridget's moments of nostalgia, her excitement for life, her hopeful attitudes even in a short time in prison. All a mistake of course. Bridget Jones has a most creative way of seeing life. She doesn't just observe with technical clarity, she explores the possibility of all thoughts and takes them to the most intricate degree. The first half is much more hilarious than the second half because Bridget's life starts to form into something more normal. The off-beat charm and whirlwind adventures are so comical at the start. While listening to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, I'm never sure if all these events really happened or if some were intellectually enhanced. Bridget does at times leave her "embodiment of inner poise" moments occasionally. I'd rather not know if some really happened or if they are just embellishments of the author's life. By the time we finish listening to this book, we are starting to realize Bridget's life is not only dramatic because of her decisions and social games, it is also dramatic because I think she wants it that way. Often, while writing, she leaves out "a," "an," "the," "my." This contributes to her rapid writing style. Bridget will often go off into her own fantasy world, drawing all sorts of conclusions only those who want life to be dramatic, would create. While she obsesses endlessly over her boyfriend' obvious? pursuers, she condenses her thoughts into sly little schemes. One imagines she would have benefited from reading "Present Moment Awareness," and would probably love anything written by David Deida. Bridget lives mostly in reality with escapes into profound fantasy moments. The writing is quite good actually, especially when read outloud. Perhaps she is a more luminous Anais Nin who focuses more on the lighter side of life instead of just thinking about sensual moments. I enjoy her creativity and softer side more than her brash and brazen swearing. Although realistic, one assumes. We have her mother who is known for her world travels and then we have all her friends, past relationships and those in and outside her circle. She lives in a rather amoral world where life seems to just keep getting in the way of what she wants. That would be the man of her dreams. Although she has her moments when she doubts her own sexual orientation during a horrific trip to Thailand. We learn about magic mushrooms, amusement unlimited and how to survive while being stuck on an island with less than the needed amount to get back home. What a nightmare. To make it worse, just as she is about to escape, she is thrown into a prison for drug possession and the drugs were planted in her luggage. Alternating between optimism and moments of complete doom, Bridget somehow manages to capture our hearts because we understand her in some strange and unexplainable way. Although, I can't for the life of me imagine tossing books into the trash. "No, No Bridget..." I want to say. "You must really donate them my dear or leave them secretly on tables for others to find." Fortunately Mark Darcy saves them from such a horrid fate and in this continuing saga, Mark and Bridget seem to finally connect. I've met a Bridget and a Mark Darcy online at forums. These types of people really do exist and that is what makes this so entertaining. Dedicated to "Pseud," who has made me laugh more times than I can count and I wish her eternal happiness. If I had to chose between watching a movie, reading a book or listening to the audio book version, I'd choose the audio book version read by Barbara Rosenblat. Plus, while listening to one book, you can be surfing online or reading another. Life is just too short.
Rating: Summary: Not as Good as Number One Review: I've figured out why I didn't like The Edge of Reason as much as I did the first book. Bridget's a lot stupider in number two. In the first book, for whatever her insecurities, Bridget is witty, sharp, and self-aware - whereas, in this book, she seems to mindlessly go from one adventure to another, her motivations trivial. Book II's scenes also move away from the charming friends' pub nights, parents' houses, and Turkey Curry Buffet parties, into Bridget's surrealistic vacations in Thailand. She was likeable in book one because her world was real; now she seems like a figurine. That being said, The Edge of Reason has its moments - though something was definently lost.
Rating: Summary: Hoorah for Bridget Jones's Sequel! Review: I have read this book twice now. I NEVER read books more than once. This book starts up a month after Mark and Bridget first hooked up. Everything is great between them until Bridget's obsessive neurotic psychy gets in the middle of the relationship. There is also Rebecca a "Friend" of Bridget's who is determined to get Dishy Mark Darcy for herself. Bridget is reduced back to being a Singleton. When her and Shazzer decide to take a trip to Thailand chaos breaks out. Bridget is accussed of being a drug smuggler and put into prison. Mark Darcy has to come to Bridget's rescue again. A must read if you fell in love with Bridget.
Rating: Summary: Must Buy!! Must Buy!! Must Buy!! Review: If you just liked Bridget Jones you will LOVE this book. If you love BJ you will know that this is a total treasure. I have read both books and this was by far funnier than the first. Bridget is still warm, still a sweetie, and in more trouble than you can imagine. Mark is still evolving and as "sentimental" as ever. When he tells Bridget that the most she can be accussed of is being really "gulliable and stupid" you say oh there is the Mark Darcy I love so much. He is tough on the edges but very much her savior and he is just to perfect to be true. Men out there you have a lot to live up to. I don't know if it will happen because Rene Z said she would never want to gain the weight to reprise the role but I just hope they make the sequel for this. It is to Funny.
Rating: Summary: Laugh out loud funny! Review: I hesitated to get this book because a male friend of mine who liked the first book thought that Bridget was a little too whiney in this one...well, to each his own. I read it in two days (with a lot of interuptions from family) and suffered several what-is-wrong-with-you looks from my husband and kids as I snorted and laughed outloud my way through it. A memorable highlight is the interview Bridget conducts with Colin Firth. I found myself exclaiming aloud, "Oh no she didn't!" several times (yikes)then laughing so hard I had to put the book down in order to regroup. Luckily, my husband would miss me if he had me institutionalized. My friend Mary and I, both mothers of little ones, especially enjoyed the telephone conversations Bridget has with her married friend who continually talks to her children while talking to Bridget at the same time.I don't have the book right here in front of me but the dialogues run alot like this: "Bridget, you really need to...sit on the potty, Mummy says sit on the potty!" Should you read the book? I guess the best analogy would be the Austin Powers sequals. In the second and third movies, Austin stays Austin with only the adventure changing--the humor remaining the same. In the second installment of Bridget Jones, Bridget stays Bridget with pretty much the adventure changing and the humor staying the same. Some people liked the first Austin Powers movie but didn't want to see more of the same thing...I could watch a new Austin Powers movie every year as long as the jokes keep flying. The same goes for Bridget Jones. Does she change and grow--becoming a more 'complete' woman? Well, while she probably does learn the danger of taking packages from strangers while on holiday the answer to that question is no, not really. But just as I wouldn't want to see Austin Powers 'change and grow', 'no really baby', I have to say thank goodness for savy writers who know how to not mess up a good thing.
Rating: Summary: I didn't think Helen Fielding could be any funnier Review: Having read the first book, I thought it only natural to read the second. In the first I was laughing like a hyena and in the second I was splitting my sides. This book is an absolute improvement on the first, the fact that she is with Mark, then not with Mark, then arrested by Thai authorities for a really quite ridiculous reason and then once again Mark Darcy comes to her rescue is just brilliant. Fielding describes Bridget's escapades with a very witty eye and an unique sense of humour, even if they are sometimes quite far fetched. How can one not love Bridget Jones? And how can anyone not love Mark Darcy?
Rating: Summary: Better than the first! Review: I was just looking for an easy vacation read, and wound up getting a new obsession! I just loved this book, thought it was better than the first and was v. proud of our heroine and her humanity. Brillant writing, hilarious, funny, sad and so, so true. I have reread the end dozens of times,and wound up taking the Pride and Prejudice videos out of the library just to sink even more into Bridge's world! Can't wait for the movie or another sequel!
Rating: Summary: yuck Review: I loved the first book. I could identify with Bridget, I could sympathize. The second book takes a very odd turn. Bridget get what she wants and we only see Mark in the very beginning and end of the book. Then she goes to Thailand where not even strange but stupid things happen. This part of the book is copied from the movie Broke Down Palace. I found myself skipping to the parts with Mark. That was what I wanted to read, their romance. And Daniel Cleaver comes out of no where and seems like just filler. Bad book. Don't waste time on it.
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