Usually people read a book first, and then watch the movie made on that book.
But I watched this movie first as it keeps coming on TV often. The movie is well made and has lots of humor and wit. I didn’t bother to read the book since I had already seen the movie.
Recently, I saw this book on the library bookshelf. The cover caught my attention- it features Rene and the two guys- stars of the movie- giving the book a traditional ‘video-cassette look’.
At the bottom, a statutory warning is given- Adopting Bridget’s lifestyle could seriously damage your health
The book starts with Bridget Jones’s hilarious new-year resolutions.
Author Helen Fielding makes fun of the ‘self-help’ jargon in a subtle witty style. This ‘I will not- I will’ list is very funny and sets the tone of the story that follows.
Like- I will notsulk about having no boyfriend, but develop inner poise and authority and sense of self as woman of substance, complete without boyfriend, as best way to obtain boyfriend.”
I will go to gym three times a week not merely to buy sandwich.”
I will put photographs in photograph albums.”
You got the gist….
What follows is personal diary for one year in life of a 30 something single English woman- Bridget Jones, who is working for a media company. The focus is on her relationships- how she chooses a wrong man as boyfriend and how she dumps him and finds ‘Mr. Right’ at the end of the year. Other important people in the story are her friends and parents.
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The book is very very funny. There is something on each page to make you laugh-at least smile.
Fielding’s witty comments and sarcastic remarks on anything and everything are worth reading!
She comes up with a great and impressive satire of modern life.
There are hilarious and/or cynical comments and remarks on everything from relationships, marriages, feminists and men to self-help books, dieting, beauty regimes, yoga, career stagnation, government and wars!
Character of Bridget is far from perfect, yet, as you read on, you end up liking her.
There are around 300 pages. Though I am very impatient when it comes to lengthy books, I never felt bored while reading this book. It is quite entertaining.
I can certainly say one thing now- The book is much better than the movie.
The love story of Bridget and Mark Darcy is essential part of the story, and the book becomes a typical prem-kahani (‘girl meets Mr. Right’- type) towards the end.
But the best part of the book is the comedy.
Read it for its great humor and flamboyant wit - this book is a funny classic!
This book was a big hit in the western world, and the movie did well, too. The readers there could relate with the characters and situations. But cool thing is- we Indians can enjoy the book though we can’t really relate much with the characters or situations.
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Why should one read it?
1)To enjoy the humor and wit of course!
2)To know how to write a personal diary
3)To read the romantic story of Bridget and Mark Darcy
Who should read it?
1)If you can relate to the characters and situations, you should read it!
2)If you can’t, you will still enjoy reading the book.
Bridget struggles with her drinking, smoking, shopping and junk food habits. You could be someone who shops by the list, doesn’t even drink soft drinks due to fear of insecticides-forget alcohol, and doesn’t eat Cadbury chocolate due to fear of worms – trust me-you will still enjoy the book.
3)Anybody who enjoys a witty piece of literature
4)Anybody who has watched the movie- to see how better the book is.
Any cons?
1)Well, the language is not formal, but mostly slang. I found it highly appalling. The slang is the biggest problem while reading the book.
2)Focus is only on Daniel and Mark. There should have been more focus on Bridget’s friends.
In short, ‘Bridget Jones’s diary’ is a comic genius, if you can tolerate the not-so-pleasant language.
