Book Review by Michael Kitto
After reading Michael Kitto’s review of Bridget Jones’s Diary I agree with most of what he has to say about Fielding’s work.
Firstly I agree with his comparison between the book and its classic counter part Pride and Prejudice. Kitto claims that “Bridget is not Elizabeth Bennett; she would like to be, but in the book her personality would be more like Lydia (Elizabeth’s younger boy crazy sister)”. Although both books have similar themes and plot lines the protagonist are quite different. Bridget spends most of the book striving for her inner poise but is often blinded whenever she is speaking to her hot but manipulative boss/lover Daniel Cleaver. Elizabeth however stays cool, calm and collected throughout the book and is the epitome of a true Victorian lady. She is not blinded by the men who try to purse her and sticks to her beliefs that marriage is only worth it if both parties are deeply in love. That being said I do not believe Kitto should criticize Fielding for claiming the two characters were parallels since they are both stubborn and persistent when it comes to their respective Mr. Darcys and each have perfectly flawed qualities that make the reader want to root for them.
Another point made by Kitto in which I agree is the fact the journal aspect of the book can become somewhat confusing. Kitto states that “The only problem is that it (the diary) blurs the line between a first person narrative and third; there are parts of the book where it would be obscure to think Bridget was writing down everything happening, minute by minute as it was happening. This is to help add to the comedy of the book but to me it added to the absurdity.” Although this didn’t particularly bother me while reading (I actually quite liked the journal aspect as it felt more honest) I can understand how the minute-by-minute updates could take away from the reality of the book.
Kitto ends his review by talking about how he was impressed with the clever wit, irony and honesty that he didn’t think he would find in a chick lit book and I couldn’t agree more. Helen Fielding wrote Bridget as such a raw, real and funny character that she becomes more then just a character in romantic light read but a relatable friend to many.
To read the full article click here:
Firstly I agree with his comparison between the book and its classic counter part Pride and Prejudice. Kitto claims that “Bridget is not Elizabeth Bennett; she would like to be, but in the book her personality would be more like Lydia (Elizabeth’s younger boy crazy sister)”. Although both books have similar themes and plot lines the protagonist are quite different. Bridget spends most of the book striving for her inner poise but is often blinded whenever she is speaking to her hot but manipulative boss/lover Daniel Cleaver. Elizabeth however stays cool, calm and collected throughout the book and is the epitome of a true Victorian lady. She is not blinded by the men who try to purse her and sticks to her beliefs that marriage is only worth it if both parties are deeply in love. That being said I do not believe Kitto should criticize Fielding for claiming the two characters were parallels since they are both stubborn and persistent when it comes to their respective Mr. Darcys and each have perfectly flawed qualities that make the reader want to root for them.
Another point made by Kitto in which I agree is the fact the journal aspect of the book can become somewhat confusing. Kitto states that “The only problem is that it (the diary) blurs the line between a first person narrative and third; there are parts of the book where it would be obscure to think Bridget was writing down everything happening, minute by minute as it was happening. This is to help add to the comedy of the book but to me it added to the absurdity.” Although this didn’t particularly bother me while reading (I actually quite liked the journal aspect as it felt more honest) I can understand how the minute-by-minute updates could take away from the reality of the book.
Kitto ends his review by talking about how he was impressed with the clever wit, irony and honesty that he didn’t think he would find in a chick lit book and I couldn’t agree more. Helen Fielding wrote Bridget as such a raw, real and funny character that she becomes more then just a character in romantic light read but a relatable friend to many.
To read the full article click here: