BOOK GROUPIE: If you like chick lit, you'll love Bridget
Back in 1996, an earthquake of sorts hit the publishing industry. Author Helen Fielding was responsible for the tremors, when her “Bridget Jones’s Diary” hit the shelves. The clever little book has sold more than 2 million copies.
It’s helped establish chick lit as a permanent publishing genre and has inspired thousands of imitations. While I’ve enjoyed many other chick lit masterpieces, some of which I’ve recommended in this column, only “Bridget Jones’s Diary” has earned a permanent space on my bookshelf. Don’t ask to borrow my copy, because I won’t let you.
Bridget Jones is a British every woman in her early 30s, working for a London book publishing company. Bridget’s primary duties are in the publicity department, but she spends more time flirting with her boss, Daniel Cleaver, than she does writing press releases.
Bridget tries desperately to be proud of all she’s accomplished in her young life. She truly wants to support women’s rights, but she’s also completely obsessed with her looks (particularly her weight) and trying to land Mr. Perfect (who may or may not be Daniel Cleaver).
The cast of characters in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is hilarious and engaging, but none more so than Bridget herself. Perhaps the character’s strongest appeal is that readers can identify with and/or sympathize with Bridget through her various struggles.
At one point in the book, for example, Bridget shows up to a party dressed like a bunny. Unfortunately, the party’s theme has changed from a costume party to that of an English garden tea. How can readers not want to give this girl a hug?
Thankfully, Fielding wrote a sequel titled “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.” That book is also v.g. — that’s Bridget-speak for “very good.” And two well-received films were produced based on the books. The films star actress Renee Zellweger as Bridget.
The book/movie combination is lots of fun for book clubs. It provides a great excuse for a longer meeting, since your group simply must watch the movie together, after discussing the book at length. This can all be done in the name of literature and expanding your view of the world, of course.
If you discover you enjoy the chick lit genre as much as yours truly, check out chicklitbooks.com for information and reviews on the latest books, as well as information on sub genres in the chick lit category. And if you find something v.g., let me know.
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CONTACT THE WRITER: Anita Miller welcomes your book suggestions. Read her blog at bookgroupie.freedomblogging.com
or e-mail anita.l.miller@worldnet.att.net.
