Bridget Jones's Diary

Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud!
Review: I can't believe anyone would read this book, looking for any great meaning. It is definitely pure fluff -- perfect for the beach or the bathtub. I laughed so hard, I was crying, and read several pages out loud to my husband. I definitely saw myself in Bridget Jones -- particularly the scene where she is cooking for her large "Turkish family" and stepping in mashed potatoes. Bridget Jones is everywoman who hasn't found herself yet: brave, funny, neurotic, a bit too harsh with herself, battling with the desire to be beautiful and brilliant -- and the quest for love in the 90s. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who doesn't take herself too seriously!

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and absolutely brilliant
Review: This novel was very funny and cleverly written. Bridget has a neurotic charm that draws you into the book. Certainly to be apprecciated by any woman being tormented for living in celibacy or with an annoying mother.

Rating:
Summary: A Pride and Prejudice for my Generation!!! Thank You!!!
Review: I found the connection between Pride & Bridget Jones' only after I sat grinning as I pondered the last chapter. I received the same warm, cozy, I'm-not-the-only-one-out-there kind of feeling as I did when I read of Elizabeth and her stony faced soul mate. The parallels began with the introduction of the stand-off'ish new Mr. Darcy, and continue throughout the book, ending with, well, let's just say Eliza, I mean Bridget finds her Darcy to be quite a savior... Austen fans will know : ) Bridget Jones is a heroine of the best type - she seems real. While some people may not enjoy her self loathing or manic attitudes about weight loss and her compulsive nicotine habit, I welcome you to take a few steps back and tell me you don't know at least one woman who shares her traits. Helen has given us Jane Austen in the Ally McBeal - Demi Moore - Cindy Crawford world we live in....THANK YOU HELEN / JANE!

Rating:
Summary: Women in Real Time, Fags and all
Review: (Fags: term British folk use for cigarettes!) This book is hilarious. For those of you, myself included, who are tired of the self-help books, and want some funny fiction, definitely try BJ Diary. She tells it like it is, men, working, getting up late, worrying about the future, but still having a good time. Cheers to Helen Fielding!

Rating:
Summary: good entertainment, but what's all the fuss?
Review: This is a great quick read. However, having been there (young, but getting older, single working woman) I think this book only touches on the real story!!! This does not need to be a part of your permanent library.

Rating:
Summary: You'll either love it or hate it.
Review: Our book club was split on this one. Some found it vapid and Bridget to be neurotic. Others thought it was a hilarious take on the "single life." Everyone agreed they could have done without the sub-plot involving Bridget's mother. It helps to know about British TV and slang to get all the jokes. If you're looking for something deep, don't bother, but if you want a good laugh, you'll enjoy this.

Rating:
Summary: Such a fun read.
Review: Forget deep meaning, sometimes you just want to have a rip-roaring good time when you read a book. As a twenty-something single woman, I also saw (too) much of myself in this woman's daily struggles to lose weight, find a man, and stay sober!

Rating:
Summary: good for a laugh but not great
Review: Even if there isn't a calorie- and man-obsessing Bridget Jones lurking inside you, I'm sure nearly everyone can relate to some aspect of the character's neurotic behavior and scenarios in this book (a match-making mother, dinner parties, white lies, gift-giving, etc). However, after about several months of diary, the italicized resolution calculations lost their novelty and the book generally failed to be an engaging page-turner. Though I'm a 30-year-old "Singleton" myself, I felt I was reading about a group of friends just out of college, a sort of St. Elmo's Fire for the 90s.

Rating:
Summary: Kept Spouse Awake By Laughing (out loud) All Night
Review: If you like to read for pure entertainment, you find shows like "Absolutely Fabulous" funny, and you imagine yourself without a loss for a witty retort -- you probably LOVE this book. I loved the characters -- found them credible -- and even see a lot of myself in Bridget (if only I was half as witty). I recommend to -- primarily women -- in their 20s and 30s who appreciate wit, sarcasm, and dry humor.

Rating:
Summary: Hands up if you know Bridget....
Review: For the good of your self respect you really shouldn't buy this book. You will find yourself unable to put it down, you will read it on public transport and you will weep with laughter and punctuate your snorts of delight with shouts of "She's me!!". And okay, people will stare but you will love it and (if you're anything like me) read it at least ten times. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - treat yourself.