The great thing about this book is that it completely preserved the tone, voice, characterizations, and humor of the first Bridget Jones book. It is easy to read but not dumbed-down. In fact, the nearly telegraphic style makes the reader work just a bit harder than she is used to, in order to divine the meaning. So that's all good. Why, then, have I given this sequel only three stars, where the first book received five?

There were three things that led me to this decision... and at one point, I was even hovering at two stars, but there was some redemption toward the end.

First, I felt myself not liking Bridget much in certain parts. In the first book, although obviously flawed, she was still very likable, and even easy to identify with. I think that is in fact the main reason for the success of this series, that Bridget's personality and experiences strike a chord with an entire generation of women who see themselves in her. Well, when Bridget started dumping on Mark, just to please her girlfriends, and being inexcusably stupid, neglectful, and incompetent at work, she lost completely any sympathy she had with me. Bridget is at her best when being mortified at her mother bringing home a Kikuyu from her African safari, or suffering when she sees her boyfriend being fawned over by a gorgeous, rich, thin rival. Even when she pitches off-the-wall, slightly embarrassing or shallow ideas for Sit Up Britain, and things don't quite pan out the way she expected. But when she has a big interview with Colin Firth and acts like a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl (if that), and then doesn't even bother to write the article afterward, her unlucky bumbling turns into flat-out incompetence that makes me wonder what redeeming qualities she could possibly have. And she doesn't have a clue where Germany is? Germany!

Okay. Moving on. The next peeve I had was that it felt like the author was stretching too far, coming up with outlandish plots, possibly in order to make it play better on the big screen. Getting caught for drug-smuggling in Thailand is just so far out of the scope of a normal thirty-something single girl's experience that it just didn't fit for me. And then the whole stalker thing with the builder? It felt so last-minute and stuck together.

The last thing I didn't much like was the fact that Bridget never saw Mark's message on the back of the poem (and why would he have written on the back of a poem anyway? Surely there was a blank piece of paper around). I mean, come on, she was in a prison for a week with no other reading material, and she took the poem out and re-read it several times. She would have noticed something on the back. This may seem like a minor detail, but it was actually a pretty big point for drawing out the uncertainty over their relationship right up to the end. There were a couple of other things, too, like the fact that there was a gaping hole in the wall of Bridget's house for months, and no one said anything... and she didn't need to get a building permit for the addition, either. I just felt like there was too much suspension of disbelief necessary, that things could never have happened like that in the real world. That might not be a huge drawback for some books, but Bridget Jones' success banks on the reader being able to place themselves in Bridget's place, and for these things to actually happen to them (or someone they know, or someone who at least lives on the same planet).

Now, what is the redeeming quality that brought this back up from 2 stars? It's the fact that Bridget does actually seem to learn something. She actually does make some major changes in her life (throwing out all of her self-help books, quitting her job), and sees that she was wrong to treat Mark the way she did. She gains insight into her character and acts on that. I was also very touched by the mother-daughter scene near the end, where Bridget's mother actually seems to come down to Earth for a few minutes and gives some very good, profound advice.

So, in the end, I did like this book, and I can admire the author's skill in writing and creating a worthwhile piece of entertainment.

I found the fact that most of the characters are just not able to communicate effectively infuriating but I still devoured the last two thirds in one sitting so 3 stars seems too low.

A solid 3.5 I'd say. I was entertained.

Colin Firth was mentioned like 25+ times

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.

tycker att det kan vara lite segt att läsa i dagboksformat för det blir knte samma flyt som i en ”vanlig” bok. jag gillar dock verkligen bridget och tycker att det är kul att följa hennes liv! 3/5, men skulle inte läsa om den :)

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.

Loved this one just as much as the first one. It's been so long since I first read this and watched the film that the only bit I could remember was her being in a Thai jail. Felt like I was reading it for the first time.

The only thing that makes no sense is Bridget's job. Apart from the odd instances where she embarrasses herself working, she never seems to be doing much work. But then, maybe it's to dull for her to bother writing about it.

I also don't remember Bridget's parents being featured as much in the film, which I think is a good thing, they seem a bit over the top at times.

I'm so annoyed the only film on Netflix is the third one! I really want to watch them again!

Overall very funny follow up book.

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.

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!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars -

Four stars because I love Bridget Jones, and really, who doesn’t? It’s a modern day contemporary romance read that took over the publishing world, got a movie deal, and was hugely popular. What’s not to like?

Helen Fielding is uber talented and this series is a joy to read. Really, this doesn’t even need a review since everyone loves Bridget lol.

This second book in the Bridget series (there are four total) is not as good as books one or four, imo. It is still a good, quality read, though.

Definitely recommend to pass the time. Highly enjoyable four star read.

La puta Bridget que mal me cae a ratos pero q maja y como me rio. No pensando nada en global porque en algunas partes del libro me he aburrido pero con las ultimas 10 paginas de poco lloro de la risa por lo tanto, compensa. No iba a leerme el tercero pero ahora sí, creo que la echaré de menos incluso cuando los acabe

Very very outdated (actually this is worse than Bridget Jones's Diary). Imo it made sense having one chapter = one month of diary entries in the first book. But here the months are spread across longer chapters & I felt it made the second book harder to read. Just....yeah I probably won't continue this series (I still adore the films however).