Bridget Jones's Diary (And Other Writing): 25th Anniversary Edition

by Helen Fielding

“The best, the original, the seminal” Mail on SundayBridget Jones’s Diary turns 25 this year. Winner of the 1997 British Book of the Year, and named by the Guardian as one of the ten books which best defines the 20th Century, the book has gone on to become a multi-million copy selling international phenomenon, spawning three blockbuster movies, a whole new literary genre, a lexicon of ‘smug marrieds’, ‘singletons’, ‘emotional f***wittage’ and ‘mummy pants’, and the familiar cry of ‘I am Bridget Jones’.This special bumper anniversary compendium also features an introduction and commentary from Helen Fielding, and over 100 pages of rare material taken from 25 years of her writing, Extracts from Helen’s early journalism* A selection of the original Independent newspaper columns.* Bridget Jones interviews Colin Firth* Later columns on #MeToo, Brexit, and Bridget’s lockdown life* A selection of hilarious restaurant reviews featuring the real life inspirations for Jude, Shazzer, Auntie Una, Mum and Daniel Cleaver

457 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2021

About the author

Helen Fielding was born in Yorkshire. She worked for many years in London as a newspaper and TV journalist, travelling as wildly and as often as possibly to Africa, India and Central America. She is the author of four novels: Cause Celeb, Bridget Jones’ s Diary, Bridget Jones:The Edge of Reason and Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination, and co-wrote the screenplays for the movie of Bridget Jones’s Diary and the sequel based on The Edge of Reason. She now works full-time as a novelist and screenwriter and lives in London and Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Victoria Frow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Even though this is a reread for me it still makes me laugh out loud. At this point in my life I can relate to her life struggles especially the dating struggles. Love how this edition has the back story of Bridget Jones and also how Bridget Jones has coped with Brexit and the coronavirus lockdown. Adds another layer to her story.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This refreshed edition of the beloved classic reminds us why Bridget Jones continues to captivate readers across generations. What began as an anonymous newspaper column—a means for Fielding to pay her mortgage while aspiring to be a "serious" writer—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that perfectly captures the gap between who we strive to be and who we really are. The emotional honesty of Bridget's inner monologue, from her well-intentioned resolutions to her hilariously human missteps, creates an enduring connection that transcends time and culture.

What touched me most was discovering how Bridget came to life in a beautifully accidental way—from the casual choice of her name to the unintentional literary allusion to Henry Fielding's *Tom Jones*. Fielding's revelation that the column's anonymity allowed her to write with unprecedented candor explains why Bridget feels so authentically real. While some aspects, like workplace sexism, reflect their '90s origins, the core themes of self-acceptance, female friendship, and the messy realities behind our polished facades remain powerfully relevant.

This anniversary edition proves that great storytelling—especially when infused with humor and heart—never goes out of style. Bridget's navigation of life's awkward moments with vulnerability and wit resonates across generations. For longtime fans and new readers alike, this edition is a joyful reminder that our imperfections make us human and that finding humor in life's complications is often the best way forward.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great re-read for me and I loved all of the archival pieces at the end.Reading Bridget's observations on lockdown felt especially cathartic.

[fuzzy.bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely liked the diary format, but it does kind of suffer in comparison to ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾’ by Sue Townsend (which I personally prefer and find more relatable). I think that this is possibly just one of those situations where I prefer the compressed storytelling of the film adaptation, and found the book a bit repetitive and drawn out in places.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

So essentially it kind of feels like 2 books in one.
You get the original Bridget Jones's Diary then you get some notes and updates or thoughts from Bridget on current topics such as Brexit and Caronavirus.
I absolutely love the original book and film. It is one of the few where the film is actually as good as the book.
The extra that has been included parts of it just regurgitate some of the original book but the supposed updated Bridget in the modern day dealing with Covid and Brexit I don't feel is really enough detail or diary entries included,
If you've never read Bridget Jones Diary I would recommend this copy as you do get quote a lot of extras and as usual it is quite funny and an sure many would enjoy if you like a love story and just an ordinary girl making her way in life.

[AstroDenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridget Jones's Diary & Other Writing
by Helen Fielding

Actual Rate: 10/10
Favorite Line: "Life is so much more fun when you accept the mess it is and all of us are and just rock and roll with it."

Actual Review:
Bridget Jones's Diary (and other writing) is the 25th Anniversary of the book series re-published by Helen Fielding under Picador on 2021. The novel revolves around a year of happenings in Bridget Jones's life which are written like a personal diary.

A book worth to be recommended! I still haven't found any book that could vie with Bridget Jones's(BJ) Series. Because both the book and the movie adaptation are immaculately written and really stand for each other. I really had a great time reading this. It made me smile and laugh. It is funny how such straightforward texts and narration could burst the laughs within me.

The Introduction of this book is very current. Helen Fielding started the book as messy as it could be. I could feel the emanating honesty that this book is really chaotic at its finest but still special to read onto. I love how those special thoughts of BJ is implanted on the diary entries as if this thing is not a fiction. Sometimes some occurrences are as real as it could get, that is maybe why readers are feel so attached in the story.

With this special edition of the book that includes 100 more pagez of new and unpublished materiL from Helen Fielding, I can say that this really satiated my needs for a funny time. I have been occupied with my personal life and I think this book hooked me back to reading. It kept me bedridden for full straight 7 hours and I am glad it happened. The joy of reading sparked again in me!


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TAGS:
#fiction #diary #books #journal #HelenFielding #BridgetJones #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookphotography #goodreads

[Lynnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 3 star rating is for the extras in this special 25th Anniversary edition. I rated the original book as 5 stars.

This book includes early newspaper columns, restaurant reviews and how Bridget Jones started. There's a very funny interview between Bridget and Colin Firth!

The poignant section for me were the diary entries during Brexit and Covid. Brexit was a complete shambles and still is, should never have happened. The Lockdown Diary was a bit too lenient on Johnson but it did highlight how once again the UK was running around like a headless chicken. Nobody knew what to do, track and trace wasn't working, NHS were exhausted.
It's interesting that this is in print now, in a romcom book.

[Katheryn Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anniversary edition gave me the perfect excuse to finally tick Bridget Jones's Diary off my to-read list. Much as I'd expected to, I found it a highly engaging and entertaining read, if a little outdated. I wasn't convinced by the additional writing, included in this edition; although I liked finding out a bit more about how Bridget Jones came about, I found the updated entries about Brexit and Coronavirus a little forced (as such things often are). While I don't personally think the extra writing in this edition adds much to the original book, I definitely think Bridget Jones's Diary itself is worth your time.

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading challenge 52 books read 5 v.g films watched 3 (x 27 at least ) stars awarded 4
Firstly I have to say I have watched the films SO many times so was always going to be hard for the book to live up to ( I do usually prefer the book over the film) .
I enjoyed the book but maybe a bit too familiar with the films and the characters . The diary was good but a bit short . The one thing that stood out was that Bridget was only 9 stone - I had always pictured her as far bigger. ( again maybe due to the film) .
The ‘second half” / new content seemed a bit dragged out although loved the Covid part .
The book is beautifully presented - one to keep on the bookshelf

[Charlotte Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridget is still as delightfully funny, f***ed up and down to earth as she was when I first read her years ago.
But now as a woman in my 30s, I find her even more relatable. I also have to-do lists, goals, daily hopes of being a better and more organised person and I never quite manage it.
But if Bridget survives without ever really doing what she sets out to, so can I 😊

[Rose Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book of the Whateverathon
Prompt: re-read a comfort read

I think this is the first time I've revisited this book as a 30-something. Still vvvvg.
Everyone needs a Shazzer, Tom and Jude in their lives.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good but I dare to say the movie was better. Felt pretty uneventful in book form although I did appreciate Bridget's mom being a bigger character in the book. Also love how book Bridget and movie Bridget have the exact same personality and humor.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridget Jones' Diary is my weakness. Overall 5 stars. VG. However, it does feel strange revisiting this in 2024.. it feels so toxic now with her tracking her weight and calories etc. That said, I will continue to stan Bridget Jones (both in book and film format) until my final breath.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good if not better than the film.

[Becca Groom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy in re-read this with the 25th anniversary beautiful edition 💕 so witty, warming and relevant, always one of my favourites!

[Lylia Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bridget Jones

Bridget Jones was just an ordinary girl who found love in the end. Didnt quite finish the biography part prior to the story

[Angie25leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and funny. Got recommended this book to make me laugh and it definitely did! Interesting to read about the impact this book made especially in Britain.
Stupid cover though - underwear?

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, preferred the original stuff to some of the other writings but was good to read after watching the films so much

[Anandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book