New to Girling this month is our feminist book recommendations!
My hope with these regular posts is to share a variety of books with strong female leads, feminist themes, and/or captivating stories of women. Ultimately, I want to show that reading feminist literature doesn’t have to be boring or intellectual. It can be fun! Seriously!
To fit the stereotypical romantic vibe of February, I thought I would start with a classic rom-com (and one of my personal favorite books): Bridget Jones’s Diary. A lot of people are probably familiar with the Bridget Jones movie trilogy, but the movies are actually based on a series of books by Helen Fielding. I’m here to talk about the first one – the OG Bridget Jones.
In the book, much like the movie, Bridget finds herself in her thirties and still trying to figure it all out. The book, unlike the movie, highlights Bridget’s relationship with her mother more than the love triangle between her, Daniel Cleaver, and Marc Darcy. It also explores an adult woman who is still settling into adulthood, her profession, and her friendships.
The book is hilarious and outrageous in a way I wish the movies had been. It’s honest and relatable and doesn’t give you any of the oh, I’m gorgeous and wealthy and everyone is clearly in love with me but I’m still somehow single stuff that other rom-coms typically provide. I think it’s a great feminist read because it’s fun and easy to read while still showcasing a realistic, messy woman in a time in her life that is often not showcased in the media. Bridget is the modern-day woman. She is constantly late; horrified and enamored by her mother; constantly striving to feel like she belongs; fighting for a career against the next generation who seems to be more qualified than she feels; and she makes mistakes. Bridget is all of us.
TL;DR: The book is better than the movie in all the right ways. Check it out for a quick read that will make you laugh, feel good about yourself, and maybe call your mom.
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