Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

11 reviews

amillii's review against another edition

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia

Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, and Sexism

Explicit mention of exact weight, calories, alcohol intake, and cigarettes at the begining of almost every chapter

maryjohnstone's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I really thought that I would love this book since the movie is one of my favourites. But this version of Bridget is so intolerable and fatphobic. I  understand that this book was written at a time where diet culture and fat shaming was common place but it made this story much less enjoyable. Even without that, Bridget is rude and entitled and only seems normal compared to her psychotic mother (like she's insane). 

I was also upset by the lack of Darcy who was unbelievably dull compared to the aggressively vivid other characters. There was no room for development and their connection felt so forced since Fielding only really introduced  him in the last three chapters. This would be fine if I liked this Bridget but I really didn't :(

I spent most of the book comparing it to some of my favourite media - Pride and Prejudice and the film which might not be a fair comparison but just watch these instead.

On a serious note, this book is incredibly triggering for anyone struggling with their weight since almost every 5 minutes Bridget is recording on her weight and calories and commenting on how disgusting it is. There is even a section where Bridget admits to forgetting that calories are necessary to survival if that gives an impression on how warped her mindset is. Luckily for me the numbers went right over my head so didn't bother me much or otherwise I would have DNFed.

As much as I hated this book, I cannot deny that the narrative was very vivid and I still love the story (just not the book).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Fatphobia

Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, and Sexism

ophycore's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Eating disorder

Moderate: Dysphoria and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape, Classism, and Pregnancy

Spoiler

Some very insensitive mentions of rape. Calories / Weight mentioned on most pages. Lots of smoking / mentioned on most pages.

eviecanactuallyread's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism

Minor: Gaslighting and Homophobia

lag1995's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Meh. Movie is better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder

Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia

swaggypinay's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Sexism

sophiemundy13's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Loved the films, enjoyed the book. Dated in places, like current affairs, but funny with hindsight. Not a big fan of the fatphobia/her obsession with her weight and calorie intake, but def a reflection of the time it was written 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Dysphoria

Minor: Suicide, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

jesspages's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book definitely didn't age well

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Body shaming, and Alcohol

newreadsamongthetrees's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Part of my high rating is due to how big of a fan I am of the Bridget Jones’s Diary movie and the fact that the book made me feel that I was able to see “deleted scenes” from the movie. There may be some themes in the book that are out-dated or unnecessary, but what should I expect from a book that is supposed to be a diary of a woman in her early 30’s navigating through life while trying to improve upon herself. Bridget is certainly a flawed character but that is what makes her feel so human.

But do be warned, this book does not handle weight issues lightly. Bridget does seem to hold some body image issues, which are not made better by certain people around her. Some ongoing jokes are crude as well. 

It was a fun book to read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism

aliasbooklover's review against another edition

challenging lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

i bet this was revolutionary back in 1996. it's toxic in 2021.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship