Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason 
asked by vcedwards on November 7, 2006 9:24 PM
Fans of Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary will recall that at the end of that sly and funny version of Pride and Prejudice, singleton heroine Bridget landed her Mr. Darcy at last--Mark Darcy, that is. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason picks up four weeks later, and already the honeymoon is over. In addition to discovering that the man of her dreams votes conservative, left-leaning Bridget is also feeling just a mite uncomfortable with the realities of sharing bed and board with another person: V. complicated actually having man in house as cannot freely spend requisite amount of time in bathroom or turn into gas chamber as conscious of other person late for work, desperate for pee etc.; also disturbed by Mark folding up underpants at night, rendering it strangely embarrassing now simply to keep all own clothes in pile on floor. But all of these problems pale to insignificance with the arrival on the scene of Rebecca, a beautiful, man-hunting arch-nemesis with "thighs like a baby giraffe" and absolutely no girlfriend code of ethics when it comes to poaching another woman's man. Before long, Rebecca's manipulations, Bridget's own insecurities, and a string of misunderstandings (starting with a naked Filipino boy in Mark Darcy's bed and ending with a suggestive valentine from Bridget's dry cleaner) result in "128 lbs. (good), alcohol units 0 (excellent), cigarettes 5 (a pleasant, healthy number), no. times driven past Mark Darcy's house 2 (v.g.), no. of times looked up Mark Darcy's name in phone book to prove still exists 18 (v.g.), 1471 calls 12 (better), no. of phone calls from Mark 0 (tragic).
Fortunately, Bridget has plenty of other problems to distract her. Her mother has returned from a trip to Kenya with a young Masai in tow--to her father's consternation; her best friends Jude, Shazzer, and Tom are all trapped in dating hell themselves; her apartment is in shambles thanks to a dotty carpenter; an unreliable ex-boyfriend has just reentered her life; and now someone is sending Bridget death threats--could it be Mark Darcy? If Bridget Jones's Diary was a modern riff on Pride and Prejudice, its sequel borrows several themes and devices (not to mention a section heading) from another Austen novel, Persuasion. And as in Austen's fiction, here the journey is the destination. A happy ending for Bridget and her pals is a foregone conclusion; how they get there, however, will have you on the edge of your chair--if you haven't already fallen off of it laughing. --Alix Wilber
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The chaotic Bridget Jones has every reason to be happy - she finally has the boyfriend of her dreams, Mark Darcy. However, Bridget wouldn't be Bridget if she didn't manage to screw up things with her insecurity issues, driving everyone at "the edge of reason."
I loved the original Bridget Jones novel by Helen Fielding - there was something new and refreshing about it. The sequel "Bridget Jones - The Edge Of Reason" can't hold a candle to the first book though. It surely has its funny moments (especially Bridget's vacation in Thailand), yet I found myself being more annoyed than amused by Bridget's smoking, drinking, weight, and relationship problems which she often comments with either "hurrah" or "gaaah." For me, the book was more of a "gaaah" experience.
I loved the original Bridget Jones novel by Helen Fielding - there was something new and refreshing about it. The sequel "Bridget Jones - The Edge Of Reason" can't hold a candle to the first book though. It surely has its funny moments (especially Bridget's vacation in Thailand), yet I found myself being more annoyed than amused by Bridget's smoking, drinking, weight, and relationship problems which she often comments with either "hurrah" or "gaaah." For me, the book was more of a "gaaah" experience.
reviewed by gilbert on November 17, 2006 9:30 PM
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First off...if you are thinking of purchasing this book because you saw the first, or more to the point, the *second* Bridget Jones movie, stop right there. While it's typical for an adaptation of a book to the big screen to take creative liberties, Helen Fielding's second Bridget-book is nothinggg like the second movie. Period.
I first saw the original Bridget Jones movie, then read the book was was fairly disappointed by the extreme erraticness Bridget displayed in the book that was cut down for the big screen. Afterwards I watched the second movie, fell asleep about 3/4 of the way in, and felt bad for Renee Zewelleger for having to sing Madonna with a tampon as her microphone. I recently settled down the read the second book, and re-watch the second movie and they are extremely different!
Essentially in both cases the book picks up a month to a month and a half after Bridget Jones and her leading man from the previous book end up together. She is blissfully happy, but at teh same time extremely paranoid, judgemental, and constantly seeking the advice of her romance-handicapped friends.
Eventually Bridget and said man break up, under a series of accusations and misunderstandings, and most importantly, fears. The big difference here between the movie and the book is in the film, Bridget breaks up with her guy under vague suspicion he is having an affair with a co-worker, Rebecca, who ends up being a lesbian that fancies Bridget. In the book however, Rebecca really is trying to seperate Bridget and her fella, and more or less successfully does so.
The rest of the story from there follows Bridget's depression, subsequent attempts to cheer herself up, and a couple of 'major' events including her best friend getting married, an interview with Colin Firth, and a trip to Thailand. Didn't see those first two in the film? That's because they never happened in the movie version. As well, the role of the 'other' man in Bridget's life, who shall also remain nameless, takes on a MUCH smaller role in the book than in the film - but that one you can chalk up to star power quota.
All in all the second book is an improvement over the film, unlike the slightly disappointing first novel in comparison to the movie. If you like the writing of Helen Fielding you'll be pleased to find it still entertaining, slightly easier to read, and as wacky as the first book. I found much of the story bogged down with weird sub-plots and Bridget's complete psychoticness at times, but it was certainly better than the first book, and second film.
I first saw the original Bridget Jones movie, then read the book was was fairly disappointed by the extreme erraticness Bridget displayed in the book that was cut down for the big screen. Afterwards I watched the second movie, fell asleep about 3/4 of the way in, and felt bad for Renee Zewelleger for having to sing Madonna with a tampon as her microphone. I recently settled down the read the second book, and re-watch the second movie and they are extremely different!
Essentially in both cases the book picks up a month to a month and a half after Bridget Jones and her leading man from the previous book end up together. She is blissfully happy, but at teh same time extremely paranoid, judgemental, and constantly seeking the advice of her romance-handicapped friends.
Eventually Bridget and said man break up, under a series of accusations and misunderstandings, and most importantly, fears. The big difference here between the movie and the book is in the film, Bridget breaks up with her guy under vague suspicion he is having an affair with a co-worker, Rebecca, who ends up being a lesbian that fancies Bridget. In the book however, Rebecca really is trying to seperate Bridget and her fella, and more or less successfully does so.
The rest of the story from there follows Bridget's depression, subsequent attempts to cheer herself up, and a couple of 'major' events including her best friend getting married, an interview with Colin Firth, and a trip to Thailand. Didn't see those first two in the film? That's because they never happened in the movie version. As well, the role of the 'other' man in Bridget's life, who shall also remain nameless, takes on a MUCH smaller role in the book than in the film - but that one you can chalk up to star power quota.
All in all the second book is an improvement over the film, unlike the slightly disappointing first novel in comparison to the movie. If you like the writing of Helen Fielding you'll be pleased to find it still entertaining, slightly easier to read, and as wacky as the first book. I found much of the story bogged down with weird sub-plots and Bridget's complete psychoticness at times, but it was certainly better than the first book, and second film.
reviewed by bigben on November 27, 2006 6:41 AM
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While I was reading this book I either a) had this goofy smile on my face or b) was laughing out loud. This was the funniest book I have ever read! I read the first book and to be honest thought it was just alright, but I loved the first movie. Saw the second movie and thought it was alright, but loved the second book. I think if the movie had left out all that Daniel drama and the girl from Darcy's law office and put in more of the Rebecca drama, crazy parents and friends stories,and more of Darcy, the movie would have been as good as the book. I guess the movie wanted to bring in more of Hugh Grant's character.
Best parts of Bridget's Jones Edge of Reason:
1) Interview with Colin Firth aka the wet shirt interview
2) Dry cleaner's Valentine's
3) Christmas cards
4) Singleton program for the Labour party
5) Cell phone in dumpster
6) Walk down aisle with bra
Bridget is a lovable, sweet ding-bat. Even during normal situations she can somehow find a way to make it embarassing and funny. Oddly enough I think a lot her thoughts and feelings are still understandable and relatable to an average person. Yeah some of the crazy escapades she gets herself into are far-fetched but it's way I loved this book.
Best parts of Bridget's Jones Edge of Reason:
1) Interview with Colin Firth aka the wet shirt interview
2) Dry cleaner's Valentine's
3) Christmas cards
4) Singleton program for the Labour party
5) Cell phone in dumpster
6) Walk down aisle with bra
Bridget is a lovable, sweet ding-bat. Even during normal situations she can somehow find a way to make it embarassing and funny. Oddly enough I think a lot her thoughts and feelings are still understandable and relatable to an average person. Yeah some of the crazy escapades she gets herself into are far-fetched but it's way I loved this book.
reviewed by perfect10 on November 27, 2006 1:15 PM