Review // Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding

Published - 1st June 1999

Published by - Penguin

Format - Kindle
Goodreads Synopsis - Meet Bridget Jones—a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could:

a. lose 7 pounds
b. stop smoking
c. develop Inner Poise

"123 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent), cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..." 
Bridget Jones' Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement — a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and learn to program the VCR.
Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic. Through it all, Bridget will have you helpless with laughter, and — like millions of readers the world round — you'll find yourself shouting, "Bridget Jones is me!"

Bridget Jones's Diary is WONDERFUL! I've loved the film for years and recently read a review of the book which finally convinced me to pick it up and i'm so glad I did! Bridget Jones's Diary is laugh-out-loud funny, real, warm and generally all-round brilliance. I think there is something in this book for every woman and like the synopsis, you really will compare her to yourself. 

The writing style was perfect. I wasn't sure if i'd like the style of diary entries but I loved it. I particularly loved the lists at the top of each new day totalling weight, calories etc. So much fun! This book is usually pidgeon-holed into the 'chick-lit' genre but I don't think that's fair. Bridget Jones's Diary DOES concentrate on the world through a woman's eyes but it is much more than a fluffy, overindulgence romance and has real substance. 

For those who are fans of the films - the book doesn't disappoint; and neither does the film! They're very close. Obviously there are differences, changes etc but the overall feel of both book/film is spot on. Fielding deserves all the praise she gets for this book and I highly recommend it.