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Bridget Jones #2
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Lurching from the cappuccino bars of Notting Hill to the blissed-out shores of Thailand, Bridget Jones searches for The Truth in spite of pathetically unevolved men, insane dating theories, and Smug Married advice ("'I'm just calling to say in the potty! In the potty! Well, do it in Daddy's hand, then!'"). She experiences a zeitgeist-esque Spiritual Epiphany somewhere between the pages of "How to Find the Love You Want Without Seeking It" ("can self-help books really self help?"), protective custody, and a lightly chilled Chardonnay.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 1999
About the author
Helen Fielding
63 books4,794 followersHelen Fielding was born in Yorkshire. She worked for many years in London as a newspaper and TV journalist, travelling as wildly and as often as possibly to Africa, India and Central America. She is the author of four novels: Cause Celeb, Bridget Jones’ s Diary, Bridget Jones:The Edge of Reason and Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination, and co-wrote the screenplays for the movie of Bridget Jones’s Diary and the sequel based on The Edge of Reason. She now works full-time as a novelist and screenwriter and lives in London and Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,073 reviews
November 19, 2017
Weight: 867 lbs (due to entire Chipotle burrito still sitting in belly), cigarettes 0 (as don’t smoke), alcohol units 1 (responsible glass of red wine, for heart), calories 1557 (if Chipotle nutrition calculator can be trusted)
Have just finished reading Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge of Reason, aka BJD 2: THE DARCY STRIKES BACK. Still working out feelings re: sequel, as original was pure perfection, part of identity, Pride & Prejudice-related (so obviously superior to almost all other works of fiction), etc. Am having trouble reckoning feelings for this novel, as trainwreck of a movie is hanging over head in manner of pinata filled with poo or old, stinky cheeses.
Shall not dwell on turd of a movie, however, flawed as it is, because love the lovely book! Like Bridget Jones’s Diary, sequel is based on Jane Austen novel, this time Persuasion. Had not read Persuasion until several years ago and ended up liking just as much (if not more? blasphemy!) as P&P. Naturally, Persuasion suffers from clear lack of Darcy, however Wentworth equally swoon-worthy, also Anne Elliot is obvious patron saint of Singletons everywhere, having been declared old spinster at virginal age of 27.
Our little Bridget is still struggling with job, money, romance, family (overbearing mother, drunken father), blah dee blah LIFE in usual ridiculous and fun manner. All old friends are back, including urban family (Jude, Shazzer, Tom), Marrieds (Smug and Otherwise), insane boss Richard Finch, delightful mess Daniel Cleaver, and of course Mark Darcy, with whom Bridget is now deeply in love. New characters join Bridget’s world in form of odious Rebecca, a jellyfish (aka frenemy) on the prowl for Bridget’s boyfriend, and friend Magda’s adorable moppets, created to make Bridget look alternately crazy and competent.
Do wish that book had not included any romantic turmoil for Bridget and Mark Darcy, however realize that there would have been conspicuous lack of plot otherwise. Could not even bring self to get worked up over ridiculousness of certain plotlines (Thai prison, hole in side of flat, stinky fish left in purse for weeks, what-have-you) because of love for all things Bridget and Darcy, also because of equally important happy ending (spoilers)! Suppose am typical girl that way, heart going all aflutter at any mention of Jones-Darcy reconciliation, evidence of Darcy-still-in-love, etc.
Recommend this book for all who enjoyed Bridget Jones’s Diary, or like well-done chick lit (still hate that hateful phrase, should stop using immediately) in general. Especially worth reading for special treat in sequel (as all sequels must one-up original) in form of Colin Firth (aka THE Mr. Darcy) being interviewed by Bridget Jones, which unfolds exactly as one would expect.
In short, sequel is v.g.
Have just finished reading Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge of Reason, aka BJD 2: THE DARCY STRIKES BACK. Still working out feelings re: sequel, as original was pure perfection, part of identity, Pride & Prejudice-related (so obviously superior to almost all other works of fiction), etc. Am having trouble reckoning feelings for this novel, as trainwreck of a movie is hanging over head in manner of pinata filled with poo or old, stinky cheeses.
Shall not dwell on turd of a movie, however, flawed as it is, because love the lovely book! Like Bridget Jones’s Diary, sequel is based on Jane Austen novel, this time Persuasion. Had not read Persuasion until several years ago and ended up liking just as much (if not more? blasphemy!) as P&P. Naturally, Persuasion suffers from clear lack of Darcy, however Wentworth equally swoon-worthy, also Anne Elliot is obvious patron saint of Singletons everywhere, having been declared old spinster at virginal age of 27.
Our little Bridget is still struggling with job, money, romance, family (overbearing mother, drunken father), blah dee blah LIFE in usual ridiculous and fun manner. All old friends are back, including urban family (Jude, Shazzer, Tom), Marrieds (Smug and Otherwise), insane boss Richard Finch, delightful mess Daniel Cleaver, and of course Mark Darcy, with whom Bridget is now deeply in love. New characters join Bridget’s world in form of odious Rebecca, a jellyfish (aka frenemy) on the prowl for Bridget’s boyfriend, and friend Magda’s adorable moppets, created to make Bridget look alternately crazy and competent.
Do wish that book had not included any romantic turmoil for Bridget and Mark Darcy, however realize that there would have been conspicuous lack of plot otherwise. Could not even bring self to get worked up over ridiculousness of certain plotlines (Thai prison, hole in side of flat, stinky fish left in purse for weeks, what-have-you) because of love for all things Bridget and Darcy, also because of equally important happy ending (spoilers)! Suppose am typical girl that way, heart going all aflutter at any mention of Jones-Darcy reconciliation, evidence of Darcy-still-in-love, etc.
Recommend this book for all who enjoyed Bridget Jones’s Diary, or like well-done chick lit (still hate that hateful phrase, should stop using immediately) in general. Especially worth reading for special treat in sequel (as all sequels must one-up original) in form of Colin Firth (aka THE Mr. Darcy) being interviewed by Bridget Jones, which unfolds exactly as one would expect.
In short, sequel is v.g.
November 19, 2007
The Colin Firth interview is hilarious! You just want to scream at Bridget to shut up and stop putting her foot in every time she opens her mouth! Just as wonderful as the first book!
June 27, 2020
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Bridget Jones #2), Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a 1999 novel by Helen Fielding, a sequel to her popular Bridget Jones's Diary.
It chronicles Bridget Jones's adventures after she begins to suspect that her boyfriend, Mark Darcy, is falling for a rich young solicitor who works in the same firm as him, a woman called Rebecca.
The comic novel follows the characteristic ups and downs of the self-proclaimed singleton's first real relationship in several years.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز پانزدهم ماه سپتامبر سال 2005 میلادی
عنوان: برژیت جونز: مرز برهان (لبه ی منطق یا همان نکته باریک) - کتاب دوم از سری برژیت جونز؛ نویسنده: هلن فیلدینگ؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده - 20م
برژیت میکوشد، در جامعه جا بیفتد، و گلیمش را از آب بیرون بکشد، و در این راه از یاری گروهی از دوستان خویش، و یکی دو خانواده ی سنتی، در شهر محل زندگی خویش، بهره میگیرد؛ زمان رخدادها، دهه ی 1990میلادی است. پیروزی این داستانها و اشراف بانو «هلن فیلدینگ» نگارنده ی سری داستانها بر مسایل بارکتر از مو، و حس جامعه شناسی تند و تیز ایشان، سبب شد، زنان بسیاری به دنبال کردن داستانهای جونز، اشتیاق نشان بدهند، و با ایشان همذات پنداری کنند، و بویژه وابستگی زنان، به نشریات زنانه، و خط و ایده هایی که نشریات به زندگی زنان در غرب میدهند، در این داستانها مورد داوری قرار میگرفت، و نگاه نقادانه ی: «فیلدینگ»، به مسایلی از آن دست؛ نوشته ی «جونز» را، به چیزی بیش از یک اثر هنری، و حتی فراتر از یک رُمان پرفروش، تبدیل کرد، و از آن، یک پدیده ی ماندگار اجتماعی ساخت؛ «فیلدینگ» کتاب نخست «بریجیت(بریژیت) جونز» را، که همان گردآوری پاورقیهای چاپ شده، در روزنامه «ایندپدنت» بود، در سال 1996میلادی منتشر کردند، و پاره ی دوم آن را، با عنوان جنبی و کامل کننده ی: «لبه منطق یا همان نکته باریک»، که همین کتاب باشد را در سال 1999میلادی، روانه بازار نمودند، و در ادامه نیز کتاب سوم «بچه بریجت جونز» را نوشتند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 07/04/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a 1999 novel by Helen Fielding, a sequel to her popular Bridget Jones's Diary.
It chronicles Bridget Jones's adventures after she begins to suspect that her boyfriend, Mark Darcy, is falling for a rich young solicitor who works in the same firm as him, a woman called Rebecca.
The comic novel follows the characteristic ups and downs of the self-proclaimed singleton's first real relationship in several years.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز پانزدهم ماه سپتامبر سال 2005 میلادی
عنوان: برژیت جونز: مرز برهان (لبه ی منطق یا همان نکته باریک) - کتاب دوم از سری برژیت جونز؛ نویسنده: هلن فیلدینگ؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده - 20م
برژیت میکوشد، در جامعه جا بیفتد، و گلیمش را از آب بیرون بکشد، و در این راه از یاری گروهی از دوستان خویش، و یکی دو خانواده ی سنتی، در شهر محل زندگی خویش، بهره میگیرد؛ زمان رخدادها، دهه ی 1990میلادی است. پیروزی این داستانها و اشراف بانو «هلن فیلدینگ» نگارنده ی سری داستانها بر مسایل بارکتر از مو، و حس جامعه شناسی تند و تیز ایشان، سبب شد، زنان بسیاری به دنبال کردن داستانهای جونز، اشتیاق نشان بدهند، و با ایشان همذات پنداری کنند، و بویژه وابستگی زنان، به نشریات زنانه، و خط و ایده هایی که نشریات به زندگی زنان در غرب میدهند، در این داستانها مورد داوری قرار میگرفت، و نگاه نقادانه ی: «فیلدینگ»، به مسایلی از آن دست؛ نوشته ی «جونز» را، به چیزی بیش از یک اثر هنری، و حتی فراتر از یک رُمان پرفروش، تبدیل کرد، و از آن، یک پدیده ی ماندگار اجتماعی ساخت؛ «فیلدینگ» کتاب نخست «بریجیت(بریژیت) جونز» را، که همان گردآوری پاورقیهای چاپ شده، در روزنامه «ایندپدنت» بود، در سال 1996میلادی منتشر کردند، و پاره ی دوم آن را، با عنوان جنبی و کامل کننده ی: «لبه منطق یا همان نکته باریک»، که همین کتاب باشد را در سال 1999میلادی، روانه بازار نمودند، و در ادامه نیز کتاب سوم «بچه بریجت جونز» را نوشتند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 07/04/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
March 6, 2022
Sunday 26 January
6 pm. My Bed. Writing critique on Goodreads Hurrah! Just finished quite a good book. Will call friends and discuss it. Now everyone can see how smart I am! Will write a fantastic critique, one that will make everyone follow me, adore me, etc. Will be invited to review more books and will write for a famous newspaper (Guardian or Times).
Yes, will write not only funny review but insightful.
Should have a little wine first to start creativity flowing.
6.01 Will go shopping and buy Silk Cut. In the manner of every famous writer, must smoke and drink while writing.
6.20 pm Should possibly organize room first. Surely Woolf was v. organized and clean.
6.25 pm Found lost pair of jeans under bed!
7.00 pm Right, will start review now.
7.02 pm Surely the internet will help.
8.00 pm V. Tired and frustrated. Everyone seems to think it's a waste of time. Will prove them all wrong, as the "Road Less Traveled" encourages.
9.05 pm Will start now. Oops Telephone. Must be friend!
9.35 pm Going to 192. Surely pre-drinks and friends will help self. Will get new ideas discussing the book.
9.36 pm Do not find a single pair of socks. Must buy more.
3.00 am Greatz Night mith pals. Yad mure drinkz. Hair iz zpinning. Here's pen?
6 pm. My Bed. Writing critique on Goodreads Hurrah! Just finished quite a good book. Will call friends and discuss it. Now everyone can see how smart I am! Will write a fantastic critique, one that will make everyone follow me, adore me, etc. Will be invited to review more books and will write for a famous newspaper (Guardian or Times).
Yes, will write not only funny review but insightful.
Should have a little wine first to start creativity flowing.
6.01 Will go shopping and buy Silk Cut. In the manner of every famous writer, must smoke and drink while writing.
6.20 pm Should possibly organize room first. Surely Woolf was v. organized and clean.
6.25 pm Found lost pair of jeans under bed!
7.00 pm Right, will start review now.
7.02 pm Surely the internet will help.
8.00 pm V. Tired and frustrated. Everyone seems to think it's a waste of time. Will prove them all wrong, as the "Road Less Traveled" encourages.
9.05 pm Will start now. Oops Telephone. Must be friend!
9.35 pm Going to 192. Surely pre-drinks and friends will help self. Will get new ideas discussing the book.
9.36 pm Do not find a single pair of socks. Must buy more.
3.00 am Greatz Night mith pals. Yad mure drinkz. Hair iz zpinning. Here's pen?
June 29, 2008
This book should be retitled as Bridget Jones: The Unnecessary Sequel. Bridget returns as the hapless and can't-get-it-together heroine with plenty of love, work and weight troubles. The first book has a happy ending and I thought that was the end of it. Since it's so successful, of course the author cannot resist conjuring contrived plot lines for Bridget's second adventure.
Bridget came across as charming and endearing in the first book but here she becomes annoying and irritating. I (or the readers) love her int he first book because Bridget is not flawless. This makes her a very accessible character. However, the contrived plot lines of this book has managed to create a gratingly stupid Bridget which I cannot empathise with anymore.
This is what happens when authors go on beyond the 'happily ever after' last line.
Bridget came across as charming and endearing in the first book but here she becomes annoying and irritating. I (or the readers) love her int he first book because Bridget is not flawless. This makes her a very accessible character. However, the contrived plot lines of this book has managed to create a gratingly stupid Bridget which I cannot empathise with anymore.
This is what happens when authors go on beyond the 'happily ever after' last line.
September 27, 2016
I hate say this but I hate this book , can be much better if Helen fielding just wrote bridge Jones's diary and stop
March 19, 2018
I don't really know why I still had this book on my TBR because I didn't really like the first book.. but oh well, I dove right into this one anyways.
Okay, so in Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason Bridget starts to suspect that her boyfriend Mark is starting to develop feelings for one of his coworkers, Rebecca. Of course this was a huge misunderstanding on her part because he doesn’t have any feelings for her at all. However, it is Bridget and it wouldn’t be a book if she found out that she was wrong right away. Nope. In the end, she felt foolish for even thinking that and all is right in the world because Rebecca started dating someone else. Right? Wrong. I hated this book so much.
LE SIGH!
Like I said, I didn't like the first book.. so I definitely didn't like this book either. It wasn't funny at all to me. It's like I was fake laughing just to get out of this book faster. I just don't like Bridget at all. She was so annoying and frustrating throughout the whole book. I didn't care what she went through or said throughout the entire thing. I just wanted this book to be over as soon as I started it. Spoiler alert: wine helped me get through this book. A lot of wine.
Overall, I hated this book. I will never ever reread this series. I will not continue this series - no matter what which makes me sad because I hate starting a series and not finishing it but I seriously can't stand Bridget as an MC.
I'm done with this.
Okay, so in Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason Bridget starts to suspect that her boyfriend Mark is starting to develop feelings for one of his coworkers, Rebecca. Of course this was a huge misunderstanding on her part because he doesn’t have any feelings for her at all. However, it is Bridget and it wouldn’t be a book if she found out that she was wrong right away. Nope. In the end, she felt foolish for even thinking that and all is right in the world because Rebecca started dating someone else. Right? Wrong. I hated this book so much.
LE SIGH!
Like I said, I didn't like the first book.. so I definitely didn't like this book either. It wasn't funny at all to me. It's like I was fake laughing just to get out of this book faster. I just don't like Bridget at all. She was so annoying and frustrating throughout the whole book. I didn't care what she went through or said throughout the entire thing. I just wanted this book to be over as soon as I started it. Spoiler alert: wine helped me get through this book. A lot of wine.
Overall, I hated this book. I will never ever reread this series. I will not continue this series - no matter what which makes me sad because I hate starting a series and not finishing it but I seriously can't stand Bridget as an MC.
I'm done with this.
August 20, 2020
Funnier and more accomplished than the original diary, and in fact takes recognition humor into a new dimension. Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason is a glorious read, and there is a laugh on every page.
May 7, 2021
After loving the first book in the series, I was excited to read The Edge of Reason but I was met with disappointment fairly early on in the book. There was a lot of drama (not the enjoyable kind) and not much humour in it.
Bridget starts to suspect that may be she is not enough for Mark and may be Mark is having an affair with his colleague. I really wanted to like this and wanted to laugh, in fact, I was desperate to laugh at anything but I just found myself getting frustrated and roll my eyes at Bridget. I loved her self-loathing in the first book and she got me into the chick-lit genre but I couldn't like her in this. I did like the writing though and of course Mark Darcy.
2.5 stars just for Mark Darcy.
Bridget starts to suspect that may be she is not enough for Mark and may be Mark is having an affair with his colleague. I really wanted to like this and wanted to laugh, in fact, I was desperate to laugh at anything but I just found myself getting frustrated and roll my eyes at Bridget. I loved her self-loathing in the first book and she got me into the chick-lit genre but I couldn't like her in this. I did like the writing though and of course Mark Darcy.
2.5 stars just for Mark Darcy.
October 4, 2016
What a fucking terrible book. My god.
July 13, 2018
I desperately love Bridget, I really do, but the story just wasn't as funny the second time around.
I never thought I would tire of British humour, but - while The Edge of Reason is still VERY FUNNY - the plot line relies a lot on miscommunication stemming from the characters bumbling about and being unable to speak candidly about a situation or say what they really mean. Gets a bit old.
I don't think I'll carry on with the series. The original Bridget Jones Diary is absolute comedic and chick-lit gold and I'd recommend just sticking with that one.
I never thought I would tire of British humour, but - while The Edge of Reason is still VERY FUNNY - the plot line relies a lot on miscommunication stemming from the characters bumbling about and being unable to speak candidly about a situation or say what they really mean. Gets a bit old.
I don't think I'll carry on with the series. The original Bridget Jones Diary is absolute comedic and chick-lit gold and I'd recommend just sticking with that one.
December 29, 2022
Although Bridget Jones is still a fun and delightfully unpredictable character in this second instalment of Helen Fielding's series, there is simply too much presented, featured exaggeration and resulting disbelief for me to be able to totally and utterly (without reservations) enjoy The Edge of Reason. For while with the first book, with Bridget Jones's Diary, although Bridget often was indeed outrageous and even at times (and perhaps even rather regularly) inappropriate, she was still and usually engaged in antics that could easily and even normally happen (events, personal behaviours to which I could at least mildly and personally relate), whereas, at least for me, the majority of the scenarios presented, featured in The Edge of Reason, but especially the entire Thailand episode, simply feel a bit too strange, too over-the-top, interesting enough perhaps, but also somewhat alienating.
And thus, while definitely still for the most part an enjoyable and entertainingly light romp, with The Edge of Reason, I sometimes and perhaps even more than sometimes do tend to feel more like a dispassionate and even analysing (coldly critical) observer and monitor of Bridget, while with the first book, with Bridget Jones's Diary, I very much and often felt like I was Bridget (or at least that I could be Bridget), actually experiencing her frustrations, her dietary faux pax, her searches for the perfect man (and I just cannot seem dispense with my personal sense of disbelief with much of the action featured and presented in The Edge of Reason, simply because much of it is so far beyond my own personal experiences that it feels strange, even at times rather majorly disconcerting and disconnecting).
But all that being said and my issues with reality and exaggeration notwithstanding, The Edge of Reason does remain for me a generally enjoyable read and as such one which I do still heartily recommend for fans of Bridget Jones' Diary (but with the caveat that it is certainly nowhere near as good and as entertaining as the first book, and the additional personal warning to absolutely NOT bother with the second movie instalment, as it veers so far beyond the plot of the novel to be simply massively annoying and majorly frustrating).
And thus, while definitely still for the most part an enjoyable and entertainingly light romp, with The Edge of Reason, I sometimes and perhaps even more than sometimes do tend to feel more like a dispassionate and even analysing (coldly critical) observer and monitor of Bridget, while with the first book, with Bridget Jones's Diary, I very much and often felt like I was Bridget (or at least that I could be Bridget), actually experiencing her frustrations, her dietary faux pax, her searches for the perfect man (and I just cannot seem dispense with my personal sense of disbelief with much of the action featured and presented in The Edge of Reason, simply because much of it is so far beyond my own personal experiences that it feels strange, even at times rather majorly disconcerting and disconnecting).
But all that being said and my issues with reality and exaggeration notwithstanding, The Edge of Reason does remain for me a generally enjoyable read and as such one which I do still heartily recommend for fans of Bridget Jones' Diary (but with the caveat that it is certainly nowhere near as good and as entertaining as the first book, and the additional personal warning to absolutely NOT bother with the second movie instalment, as it veers so far beyond the plot of the novel to be simply massively annoying and majorly frustrating).
August 17, 2007
Not quite as good as the original, nonetheless, spending more time with Bridget and her friends as they count alcohol units and worry about what underpants to wear on a date is a pleasant diversion.
January 4, 2021
So just like the first book, the movie was actually better even though it was terrible.
This book is just plainly problematic, from uses of degrading racial terms (the n-word, “oriental”) to the entire country of Thailand and its people being relegated to the backdrop of Bridget’s drama as she constantly harps on about the backwardness of its “Third-World” conditions and omg!! what weird culture!!! Let’s talk about Madonna because that’s feminism!!!
She also continues to listen to everything her friends tell her (all of which is stupid) and has no thoughts of her own. Her relationship with Mark Darcy is toxic and non-communicative and during this entire reading experience I was bouncing between “WOW Mark and Bridget are terrible and deserve each other” and “I cannot think of two people who shouldn’t be in a relationship as much as these two.”
This book is just plainly problematic, from uses of degrading racial terms (the n-word, “oriental”) to the entire country of Thailand and its people being relegated to the backdrop of Bridget’s drama as she constantly harps on about the backwardness of its “Third-World” conditions and omg!! what weird culture!!! Let’s talk about Madonna because that’s feminism!!!
She also continues to listen to everything her friends tell her (all of which is stupid) and has no thoughts of her own. Her relationship with Mark Darcy is toxic and non-communicative and during this entire reading experience I was bouncing between “WOW Mark and Bridget are terrible and deserve each other” and “I cannot think of two people who shouldn’t be in a relationship as much as these two.”
April 6, 2020
Bridget continues to turn being painfully shallow into an artform. I've no idea why I only gave this one 3 stars the first time I read it as, if anything, I found it funnier than the first book.
I have to say that Imogen Church does a fantastic job of reading the audiobook; at times I think she made the material funnier than it actually was through the strength of her performance.
I have to say that Imogen Church does a fantastic job of reading the audiobook; at times I think she made the material funnier than it actually was through the strength of her performance.
December 20, 2022
4/5
Chyba naprawdę potrzebuję w swoim życiu Bridget ze wszystkimi jej pomysłami, załamaniami i dobrym humorem.
Chyba naprawdę potrzebuję w swoim życiu Bridget ze wszystkimi jej pomysłami, załamaniami i dobrym humorem.
January 31, 2024
Funny Bridget. Lots to laugh about, many miscommunication makes for that frustrated feeling, and lots of girl power (kinda. In the end). Loved Shazzer and Jude, hated Rebecca of course (Imogen Church) portrayed her magnificantly. Slightly silly, hugely neurotic with laugh out loud moments. A little draggy in parts, but this was a fun flirty ride. Mark is cool ha ha. And Bridget is, well, Brigdet.
February 19, 2009
After finishing Bridget Jones's Diary for the second time, I turned my attention to Bridge Jones: The Edge of Reason, by Helen Fielding, which I'd never read before. I have to say that with both books, there were definitely laugh-out-loud moments, although there were more with Edge of Reason than Diary.
I'm embarrassed to admit it took me at least to the middle of the book to realize that this book was a take-off of Persuasion. And once again, I admire Ms. Fielding's facility in translating a classic to the modern age. Before I picked up this book, I wondered, idly, "Pride and Prejudice ended with a marriage. What on earth is Helen Fielding going to do in her sequal?" I assumed it would be one more of those books written by Jane Austen devotees who cannot stand not knowing what happens next, where Elizabeth and Darcy, happily married, turn detective, or where Elizabeth, happily married, works on getting Georgiana married off. Turning to Persuasion for inspiration was felicitous.
In Persuasion, Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth loved each other in their youth (fully ten years ago), but were driven apart by the machinations and bad advice of Anne's family. At the end of the book, happily, they have reconciled and their love is as strong as ever. In Edge of Reason, Bridget and Mark have been together for a full four weeks before they are driven apart by a series of misunderstandings, the machinations of vicious Rebecca (an exceedingly well-drawn character), and the bad advice (at least, in Mark's opinion) that Bridget has gleaned from the self-help books that comprise her library. Well done, Ms. Fielding -- I think that's a wonderful way to begin a sequal and also an inspired retelling of a classic.
This book was great fun and brought me great joy reading it. I think Ms. Fielding's satirical pen has sharpened somewhat.
I'm embarrassed to admit it took me at least to the middle of the book to realize that this book was a take-off of Persuasion. And once again, I admire Ms. Fielding's facility in translating a classic to the modern age. Before I picked up this book, I wondered, idly, "Pride and Prejudice ended with a marriage. What on earth is Helen Fielding going to do in her sequal?" I assumed it would be one more of those books written by Jane Austen devotees who cannot stand not knowing what happens next, where Elizabeth and Darcy, happily married, turn detective, or where Elizabeth, happily married, works on getting Georgiana married off. Turning to Persuasion for inspiration was felicitous.
In Persuasion, Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth loved each other in their youth (fully ten years ago), but were driven apart by the machinations and bad advice of Anne's family. At the end of the book, happily, they have reconciled and their love is as strong as ever. In Edge of Reason, Bridget and Mark have been together for a full four weeks before they are driven apart by a series of misunderstandings, the machinations of vicious Rebecca (an exceedingly well-drawn character), and the bad advice (at least, in Mark's opinion) that Bridget has gleaned from the self-help books that comprise her library. Well done, Ms. Fielding -- I think that's a wonderful way to begin a sequal and also an inspired retelling of a classic.
This book was great fun and brought me great joy reading it. I think Ms. Fielding's satirical pen has sharpened somewhat.
October 22, 2010
I enjoyed Edge of Reason a bit more than the original. I think it had a little more depth (and I use that term veeery loosely) than the first Bridget Jones book. She grows a tiny bit as a character, and finally seems to come to terms with what it means to be an adult in love. Again, she grows a tiny bit...we're not talking about any huge spiritual epiphany here. This is, after all, Bridget Jones we're talking about.
As a big fan of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, I also found myself smiling quite a bit at the references to the movie...and the whole connection to Colin Firth in general. *sigh* I'm a little Bridget-ish about him, too.
As a big fan of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, I also found myself smiling quite a bit at the references to the movie...and the whole connection to Colin Firth in general. *sigh* I'm a little Bridget-ish about him, too.
February 20, 2016
This story turned into love novel, but it's still great chick lit, great comedy and great story. Bridget is struggling with her relationship with Mark, had serious problems and struggling with her job. The end was satisfying and I was laughing out load during the feast.
August 20, 2021
don’t quite understand why the film adaptation of this basically revolves around the thailand trip when that only happens for one chapter about 70% into the book, but alas. it was still a fun and easy read, but both the first book and the first film remain superior.
April 18, 2016
This was shit!
Bridget was so charming and endearing in the first book. In this (highly unnecessary) sequel Bridget is, quite simply, dumb AF!!! That was my biggest problem with the book. I couldn't get past how much of an Idiot (with a capital I) Bridget is. Especially when you consider that she's in her 30s. Just, gaaah!!
1) What was up with all the self help books? Is it that the book was published when they were all the rage? (Don't have enough fucks to Google). Even if that is the case, why would the author want to portray a trio of 30 something year old women who live their (dating) lives solely on what they read in the shitload of self help books they possess? Like, why didn't Bridget just bloody call Mark Darcy seeing as she badly wanted to clarify things. It was just sooo stupid. I find intelligence really sexy. So a trio of women having dumb ass conversation after dumb ass conversation just did. not. work. for. me.
2) The Colin Firth interview. How Bridget is employed is beyond me. Dumb AF!!
3) How the hell did she not know she's supposed to register to vote??!!! Again, dumb AF!!
Everything about Bridget in this book was appalling for a woman in her 30s.
Bridget was so charming and endearing in the first book. In this (highly unnecessary) sequel Bridget is, quite simply, dumb AF!!! That was my biggest problem with the book. I couldn't get past how much of an Idiot (with a capital I) Bridget is. Especially when you consider that she's in her 30s. Just, gaaah!!
1) What was up with all the self help books? Is it that the book was published when they were all the rage? (Don't have enough fucks to Google). Even if that is the case, why would the author want to portray a trio of 30 something year old women who live their (dating) lives solely on what they read in the shitload of self help books they possess? Like, why didn't Bridget just bloody call Mark Darcy seeing as she badly wanted to clarify things. It was just sooo stupid. I find intelligence really sexy. So a trio of women having dumb ass conversation after dumb ass conversation just did. not. work. for. me.
2) The Colin Firth interview. How Bridget is employed is beyond me. Dumb AF!!
3) How the hell did she not know she's supposed to register to vote??!!! Again, dumb AF!!
Everything about Bridget in this book was appalling for a woman in her 30s.
March 24, 2017
3.5 stars! I think I am either becoming more accustomed to the writing style or this one was just so much better than the first!
I was actually interested in the characters and there was a definite storyline in this one, with more action and events to keep me hooked. What with Bridget's drug scandal in Thailand, the ongoing on-off relationship with Mark Darcy and the brief appearances of Daniel (though I can't help but imagine them as Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in my head)
Still not a massive lover, think chick lit just isn't for me, but it is good honest fun and Bridget is the most relatable character ever!
I was actually interested in the characters and there was a definite storyline in this one, with more action and events to keep me hooked. What with Bridget's drug scandal in Thailand, the ongoing on-off relationship with Mark Darcy and the brief appearances of Daniel (though I can't help but imagine them as Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in my head)
Still not a massive lover, think chick lit just isn't for me, but it is good honest fun and Bridget is the most relatable character ever!
October 17, 2016
This shall be short and sweet since it just continues on from the first. One of the issues I mentioned previously (love triangle) evaporated. The other issue (far-fetched plot) is still present so I knocked a star off for it. I have the next one in the series waiting on my nightstand so I am hoping this last little issue disappears.
STILL LOVE ME SOME MARK DARCY!
STILL LOVE ME SOME MARK DARCY!
November 10, 2016
This was not as good as the first one...
March 26, 2020
Funny and light hearted, a great follow up to the original.
June 20, 2010
Fits of uncontrollable laughter. That would describe me reading this book. What a great followup to the first one! For those of you who have only seen the movie and not read the book, warning: the movie script cuts quite a bit out, and changes quite a bit. For instance, the whole lesbian thing in the movie? Never happened. The "other woman" who Bridget thought was after Mark really was after Mark in the book. Daniel Cleaver barely makes an appearance, just a brief few times, literally only 3 brief occasions. He was never in Thailand with Bridget and Shaz, as he was in the movie. Therefore, the fight scene with Mark and Daniel never happens...however, he does (Mark) punch him (Daniel) in a later scene, but nothing like the fight in the movie. Also, Mark doesn't go to Thailand to rescue Bridget - he did his work at home and in Dubai to catch Jed. The one thing that amuses me vastly about what they cut out was the fact that Bridget interviews Colin Firth for a freelance newspaper article!!! HA! For obvious reasons, that would have been impossible to have in the movie script, as Colin Firth ended up playing Mark Darcy in the movies. They really, really did leave out A LOT, and this is definitely one of many occasions where the book so surpasses the attempt at the movie. That being said, I love the movie and it's hilarious. It just doesn't match up with the book, and that always pisses me off. It's really too bad that Helen Fielding never came out with a trilogy for this. I would have loved to have had a third book detailing Mark and Bridget getting engaged and married and some crazy stuff happening amidst all of that (the book ends with no engagement). Love, love, love this book!
October 30, 2015
La Fielding se saca de la manga una trama liosa y con muchos altibajos, perdiendo mucha de la gracia y frescura del pirmer libro. Mark Darcy y la madre de Bridget son lo mejor (por favor, la madre es ahostiablemente graciosa). A Bridget a veces la matabas, a veces le dabas un achuchón. Al menos te entretiene y, si lo comparas con la peli, es una maravilla (la peli es es-pan-to-sa -> salvo Colin Firth #AyOmá)
August 25, 2015
What a wonderful book. Found myself again laughing from Bridget so hard I couldn't breathe. This book really lightened up my days when I needed. So sad I finished it so fast.
April 8, 2013
Helen Fielding is basically the world's greatest feminist. In her first Bridget Jones book, she taught us that no woman is complete unless she has the love of a foppish, sub-Hugh Grant, barely heterosexual posh man to complete her. To add to the confusion, Bridget is in love with the actor Colin Firth, who they end up casting in the film as her actual love interest, Mark Darcy. If that wasn't confusing enough, they throw in Hugh actual Grant as the Bad Boy Whom All Women Are Attracted To In Spite Of Themselves. And he doesn't really play a Hugh Grant type either. Well, he does, but it's more like the Hugh Grant in About A Boy. Or the Hugh Grant in real life, who fucks crack whores in the mouth.
This is a review of the book though, which is not a film. It's not the first book either, it's the sequel to the first book. And it's not the film which is a sequel to the first film. In this book, Bridget gets her dream job, interviewing Colin Firth for some magazine or TV show or whatever. This is very confusing if you've seen the first film, obviously. This is the book though, so we'll carry on.
Does anything of note happen in this book? LOADS of stuff, but none that I can actually remember. There's a scene at the start of it which is funny because foreign people are hilarious, and gay people are icky. I think that's the point the author was trying to make, anyway. The key themes of the book are that women are useless without men, other women stab you in the back at every opportunity, and that no one thin or good looking can be a good person.
Fielding's novels are loosely based on a couple of Jane Austen books, although they're not that much like them; well, except for the fact that their attitudes to women, men and relationships are two hundred years out of date.
Can't wait for the third one!
This is a review of the book though, which is not a film. It's not the first book either, it's the sequel to the first book. And it's not the film which is a sequel to the first film. In this book, Bridget gets her dream job, interviewing Colin Firth for some magazine or TV show or whatever. This is very confusing if you've seen the first film, obviously. This is the book though, so we'll carry on.
Does anything of note happen in this book? LOADS of stuff, but none that I can actually remember. There's a scene at the start of it which is funny because foreign people are hilarious, and gay people are icky. I think that's the point the author was trying to make, anyway. The key themes of the book are that women are useless without men, other women stab you in the back at every opportunity, and that no one thin or good looking can be a good person.
Fielding's novels are loosely based on a couple of Jane Austen books, although they're not that much like them; well, except for the fact that their attitudes to women, men and relationships are two hundred years out of date.
Can't wait for the third one!
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