Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

I resisted this book as long as I could, unwilling to succumb to the media blitz that surrounded it. And then I did happen upon an excerpt and found myself wanting to read on - so they got me! It occurs to me now that I don't often read comedy even though I enjoy it loads.

Imagine a successful blend of the Absolutely Fabulous gals (younger though) and the Secret Diary of Adrian Mole - sublime, non? Well, it is. It is also like your bestfriend's email on a particularly snarky day. We follow Bridget Jones through a year of pink collar ghetto irritations and urban dating hell. She's an excellent guide, funny and perceptive, indignant and outta control. Here's a randomly selected quote - so easy to do because the writing is dense and full of witty moments.

"Maybe I should have fallen for someone younger and mindless who would cook for me, wash all my clothes, and agree with everything I have to say. Since leaving work I have nearly slipped a disc, wheezing through a step aerobics class, scratched my naked body for seven minutes with a stiff brush; cleaned the flat; filled the fridge; plucked my eyebrows, skimmed the paper and the Ultimate Sex Guide, put the washing in and waxed my own legs since it is too late to book an appointment. Ended up kneeling on a towel trying to pull off a wax strip firmly stuck to the back of my calf while watching Newsnight in an effort to drum up some interesting opinions about things. My back hurts, my head aches and my legs are bright red and covered in lumps of wax.

Wise people will say Daniel should like me just as I am but I am a child of Cosmpolitan culture, have been traumatized by supermodels and too many quizzes and know that neither my personality nor my body is up to it if left to its own devices. I can't take the pressure. I am going to cancel and spend the evening eating doughnuts in a cardigan with egg on it."

Very excited and happy to notice the book ends with a resolution that yet promises another volume of Bridget's diary. T.V. series to follow also please.

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