"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"
(Viking, Hardcover, 2000, read: August 00)
"A new year begins - and Bridget Jones, the globally bestselling, unflinchingly self-disciplined, and definitely practically nonsmoking heroine, is about to discover what happens when you have the man of your dreams actually in your flat and he hasn't been to the supermarket - not just tonight, but ever..
Lurching from the cappuccino bars of Notting Hill to the blissed-out shores of Thailand, searching for The Truth in spite of pathetically unevolved men, insane dating theories, Smug Maried advice, Bridget experiences a zeitgeist-esque Spiritual Epiphany somewhere between the pages of How to Find the Love You Want Without Seeking It (can self-help books really help self?), protective custody, and a lightly chilled Chardonnay."
In the first book 'Bridget Jones's Diary' Bridget tries to quit smoking, get control over her weight and find the right boyfriend. Now, four weeks later, she has to live with him. And that's not easy. But both her girlfriends stand by her side in the usual manner to travel around the unknown cliffs of a relationship.
The style of the novel in abbreviated sentences and diary form is terribly funny again. My favourite passages are still the ones from the rather drunk Bridget! The stories are in part taken from life (especially regarding jobs and craftsmen) and in part rather far fetched (the stay in a Thai prison wouldn't have been necessary). And its always funny and well known. A little bit of Bridget is in every one of us ... and somehow we used to search for Mister Darcy, too.
Maybe next time Bridget will become pregnant and we can participate. She would be the perfect chaotic working mother, one step beyond the edge of reason..
[Dorothée Büttgen, August 00]