Bridget Jones's Diary discussion, Part One: January - April

[Caryl]

Here is a thread where we can post our thoughts on Part One: January - April, the first section in the novel, Bridget Jones's Diary (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/014028009X/ref=nosim/storknet00) by Helen Fielding.

If you have read further than Part One, you may want to post your thoughts on one of the later threads. (You can, of course, still include your thoughts on these chapters in the later threads!)

Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks! http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

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[This message has been edited by Caryl (edited 03-31-2002).]

[Caryl]

I borrowed this from a friend on Saturday, and I started reading it right away. It's a fun & easy read! Bridget is quite a character. I love the little references to British shows, movies, writers -- I'm a fan of Fawlty Towers, East Enders, Shirley Valentine and Martin Amis.

Here are a few questions to get us started (answer only if you like!):

1. Have you read this book before? Are you planning to re-read it again with us? (If not, please know you can still participate in our discussion!)

2. Do you recognize any of Bridget in yourself?

3. Who is your favorite character so far, besides Bridget?

4. Is there any part where you laughed out loud while reading this first section?

5. Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Do you see any similarities in the plot so far?

Here are my answers:

1. I haven't read this book before, and I haven't seen the movie, either.

2. Yes, I remember learning that little secret Tom tells her about. ("...to win his heart I have to ignore him and be as cold and distant to him as possible.") It's not quite that dramatic, but close, for most guys. http://www.storknet.com/boards/wink.gif I also remember learning about "guy time."

3. I like her friend Tom, and Mark Darcy has me intrigued.

4. Yes, I laughed out loud when she followed the party rule of not talking to anyone for more than two minutes, ending her conversation with M. Darcy by saying, "I can't stand Gladiators, though. It makes me feel fat. Anyway, nice to meet you. Bye!"

5. The character of Mark Darcy seems to be playing the role of Mr. Darcy in P&P; he and Bridget keep meeting up, but then keep avoiding each other.

I am enjoying this book, and I can't wait to hear what you all think. http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

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Caryl
Mom to Charon, 7/19/99
Co-Moderator for the Reading Circle and Heart of the Home Forums
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
--Annie Dillard

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[This message has been edited by Caryl (edited 04-02-2002).]

[SusanH]

1. Have you read this book before? Are you planning to re-read it again with us? (If not, please know you can still participate in our discussion!) I've read it before and am hoping to get a copy to read it again. I've also seen the movie and read the sequel (both highly recommended!)

2. Do you recognize any of Bridget in yourself? Don't we all? http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif I relate to her chocolate bingeing most of all, lol. I really relate to a few lines she says in the movie, but I don't want to give spoilers so I won't post them.

3. Who is your favorite character so far, besides Bridget? I think her mother is hilarious, and I adore her friends.

4. Is there any part where you laughed out loud while reading this first section? I think my first laugh out loud moment was when she writes about how silly it is to stand around looking haughty at a party when your name is Mr. Darcy, kind of like being called Heathcliff and feeling the need to run around the moors shouting "Cathy!"

5. Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Do you see any similarities in the plot so far? Yes and of course! Mark Darcy has much in common with Mr. Darcy (rich, socially inept, snooty) and his relationship with Brigid develops along very similar lines as Darcy and Elizabeth's. And of course, both novels are wonderfully witty social satires.



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Susan, proud mama of Susanna Jane (http://users.adelphia.net/~harkavy/), 2/3/00
Co-moderator of Attachment Parenting and The Waiting Game
Childhood has it's own way of seeing, thinking and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try and substitute ours for theirs. - Rousseau

[Nancy]

I haven't gotten through April yet, but I had to just stop by and post that I love this book. It came yesterday from Amazon and I started reading it this afternoon. Coincidently, last night it was on one of the cable stations and I stumbled on it after the first half hour. I'd never seen the movie so went ahead and watched it, and laughed all the way through. It didn't ruin anything seeing the movie first, and if anything, makes the book even more exciting. I can picture the scenes as I read them. (Usually, I find that reading the book first, seeing the movie second, is more enjoyable for me.) Really having fun with this book and will be back to answer the questions soon.

Nancy E

[Caryl]

I thought of one more question. What do you all think of Daniel at this point in the book?

I'm glad you're enjoying the book, Nancy!

Susan, the friend who lent me her copy of B. Jones also has the sequel, but she said she really didn't enjoy it like the first one. I think I saw somewhere that the sequel is based on Austen's Persuasion. Did you find this to be true, and if so, do you think having some knowledge of that novel help you to enjoy it more?

Caryl

[SusanH]

I really enjoyed the sequel and am eagerly awaiting the film of it. The plot is heavily stolen from Austen (even more so than the first novel), but I think if anything it would be better to not have read Persuasion first, since then everything would be fresher. I have read P multiple times and I thought she stole a little too much. But there is one absolutely priceless scene in which Bridget becomes a reporter and interviews a celebrity. I don't want to give anything away, but it is hysterically funny. I think that scene alone is worth reading the entire novel. If they don't include it in the film version, I will be very bitter!

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Susan, proud mama of Susanna Jane (http://users.adelphia.net/~harkavy/), 2/3/00
Co-moderator of Attachment Parenting and The Waiting Game
Childhood has it's own way of seeing, thinking and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try and substitute ours for theirs. - Rousseau


[This message has been edited by SusanH (edited 04-08-2002).]

[Nancy]

Okay, I'm baaaack. Caught up and raring to go with the next section!

1. Have you read this book before? Are you planning to re-read it again with us? (If not, please know you can still participate in our discussion!) First time reading the book

2. Do you recognize any of Bridget in yourself? Yes. The way she flits from one thing to another and is always late. No matter what, I'm five minutes late (at least not hours late like she was to work, though). A couple weeks ago when I went to the Olive Garden with friends, I visited the bathroom and then came back out to stand and wait for our table. That's when I was told that I had toilet paper stuck to the bottoms of my feet. Can't you just see that happening to her?!!

3. Who is your favorite character so far, besides Bridget? I think her mom is my second favorite character. She's a personification of a lot of secret desires one shouldn't have, and she makes me laugh. Having seen the movie, I have a slight different feel about her that softens all her actions. (I think they handled her character very well in the movie.) Even though she is a worry, I think she's a funny, bright spot in Bridget's life.

4. Is there any part where you laughed out loud while reading this first section? Yes, every time I read: "Turkey Curry Buffet" and how her parents use first and last names reminding her who everyone is as if they've never discussed the person before. It's the way she describes it that is so funny to me. But mostly, I just smile as I'm reading. It's kind of an "out loud smile" and a soft chuckle and I don't want to put the book down!

5. Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Do you see any similarities in the plot so far?
Not yet, but I will be reading it now!

Nancy E

[Caryl]

Nancy, I'm really excited to see how Bridget's mom is portrayed in the movie. I think it would be a great role to play!

Edited to add: Did you notice the book's dedication? "To my mum, Nellie, for not being like Bridget's." http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

Susan, I think I'll have to borrow my friend's copy of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Might read that one next and then Girls' Guide.... I've seen the movie of Persuasion, but haven't read it.

Caryl

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[This message has been edited by Caryl (edited 04-08-2002).]

[Kathleen]

1. Have you read this book before? Are you planning to re-read it again with us? (If not, please know you can still participate in our discussion!) I've read it before, but I am going to read through sections of it again so I can refresh my memory a bit on different parts of the book.

2. Do you recognize any of Bridget in yourself? Absolutely. Take her constant worries about her weight, for example. Just last week, I was at the gym, and when I weighed myself, I was a few pounds more than where I really want to be. I immediately started to obsess over those few pounds just as Bridget does.

3. Who is your favorite character so far, besides Bridget? Her friends!

4. Is there any part where you laughed out loud while reading this first section? Many. I loved her description on page 61 of her friends and their Competitive Childrearing. "How did he do in his Apgar?" http://www.storknet.com/boards/biggrin.gif

5. Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Do you see any similarities in the plot so far? Yes. Daniel's flirtations remind me a lot of Wickham's in P & P. And, of course, Mr. Darcy IS Mr. Darcy. (And it is delightful to see Colin Firth play the same part in both the movie version of BJD and Pride and Prejudice! http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif)


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Kathleen
DD 5/96
DS 5/98
DS 12/00

co-mod/tri-mod: B/B J-J 2001, SC4, The Cafe

[Caryl]

Oh yes, Kathleen, and how about Magda bragging that her son is a "defecational prodigy"? LOL! Charon hasn't shown much interest at all in potty training, so I got a big chuckle out of this part:

The toddlers,...clearly at the age when they should be securely swathed in layers of rubberware, were teetering around in little more than Baby Gap G-strings. I hadn't been there ten minutes before there were three turds on the carpet.

Oh my, I'm chuckling again. Now that I'm a mom, I can finally appreciate potty humor. http://www.storknet.com/boards/wink.gif

Caryl

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[This message has been edited by Caryl (edited 04-10-2002).]

[AquariJenn]

Ok, I stayed up too late reading this book and now I'm not tired. So I'll post and read what you all had to say about it and then go to bed.

1. Have you read this book before?
No, I haven't read this before, but I have seen the movie...Hugh Grant was a perfect choice for Daniel, IMO.

2. Do you recognize any of Bridget in yourself?
Very much, so. I used to write New Year's Resolutions like she did and beat myself up over not living up to the unrealistic notions I had. (I've learned not to do this anymore.) I was also very much like, relationship-wise, in high school and college.

3. Who is your favorite character so far, besides Bridget?
I probably most identify with Jude. She's always coming up with the advice that I would most likely give to someone in Bridget's position.

4. Is there any part where you laughed out loud while reading this first section?
I've had many a LOL moment with this book. I love this line:

It is proved by surveys that happiness does not come from love, wealth or power but the prusuit of attainable goals: and what is a diet if not that?

I had to lol at the toddler birthday party with all the mothers trying to out-do each other. Too funny! And when she weighs herself on Tuesday 7 March and can't figure out how she gained 3 lbs overnight. LOL http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

5. Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Do you see any similarities in the plot so far?
[b]I'm not familiar with P&P. I'll have to pick it up next and let you know.




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Jennifer
Co-Moderator Time for Mom: A Reading Circle

Mom to Katelyn Eileen (http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/j/e/jenneric/NovDec.html), since June 2000
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-- Mohandas K. Gandhi