Book Review: Bridget Jones's Diary

Book: Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones book #1) by Helen Fielding

Edition: Hardcover

Rating: 3 stars

Review:

Told in journal entries, this follows a year of Bridget Jones' life which turned out to be a mess as well as everyone that's in it.

At the start of the book, Bridget who was still enjoying the holiday season, attended a New Year's day party where she met a peculiar Mark Darcy who was wearing an ugly diamond pattern sweater. Despite everything Bridget's mother and her mother's friend tried to do to get Bridget and Mark together, nothing resulted in their efforts. At the time Bridget really wasn't that interested in Mark because for some reason she had a huge crush on her boss Daniel Cleaver.

Bridget works in publishing but in a dead-in job that only seemed remotely tolerable for her because of Daniel. In between the flirting and secret dating, Bridget learned rather quickly how much of a slimy jerk, Daniel really was. However, that still didn't stop Bridget from liking him.

In the midst of her romance and life drama, Bridget's parents and her friends were also dealing with some issues of their own. Drama really should be Bridget's middle name because her life seems to revolve around it. From her dismal dating life to her constant mistakes at her new job as a television reporter, nothing ever quite seems to work out for her.

This was funny but there were parts of the story that were boring, dragged on longer than they should have or were simply ridiculous especially the scenes that center around Bridget's mother. So much time was wasted on Bridget dealing with Daniel. Even when they first started flirting you could tell that he was a total creep but some how she didn't see it.

Bridget's life maybe miserable but at least her friends were there for the most part to wallow in misery with her. I wish there had been more scenes with Bridget and Mark Darcy, but a few misunderstandings seemed to put a damper on thing between them initially but things did eventually work out between them.

I think I prefer the movie version over the book version of Bridget because in the movie she had a more proactive, take charge approach to life. She wanted to make a change in her life and set about doing it. While in the book, she sort of coast along as thing happen in her life, not really making any effort to make changes to improve her life or go after what she wants.

This is one of those rare instances where although the book was a relatively fun read the movie was so much better. The movie did a great job of capturing a Bridget who is slightly neurotic yet witty while also building up the romance between her and Mark.

Bridget Jones's Diary wasn't a bad read but if I had to chose between the book and the movie I would most definitely choose the movie.