Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the book. For the 2004 film adaptation, see Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (film)
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| Author | Helen Fielding |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Comedy novels |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1999 novel |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | Bridget Jones's Diary |
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a 1999 novel by Helen Fielding, a sequel to her popular Bridget Jones's Diary. It chronicles Bridget Jones's adventures after she begins to suspect that her boyfriend (Mark Darcy) is falling for a rich 'jellyfish' -- a "friend" of hers named Rebecca whose underhanded compliments sting anyone in the vicinity. The comic novel follows the characteristic ups and downs of the self-proclaimed Singleton's first real relationship in several years. It also involves many misunderstandings, a few work mishaps, and an adventure in Southeast Asia involving planted drugs and Madonna songs.
In 2004 a film adaptation was released.
Fielding has said that the original Bridget Jones story was based on the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice. There are similar parallels between The Edge of Reason and the Austen novel Persuasion, in which the main character is persuaded by her friends to break off her relationship with her "true love." Other similarities include the naming of Giles Benwick, after Captain Benwick in Persuasion as well as the scene where Rebecca, Bridget's rival for Mark's affection, dives into a shallow river and hurts her foot. This is reminiscent of the incident in Persuasion when Louisa, Anne's rival, falls on her head at Lyme.
In this story, much is made of Bridget's fascination with the BBC television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Colin Firth, the actor who played Mr. Darcy in that version. Bridget even meets Colin Firth and interviews him for a newspaper article. Colin Firth is also the actor who played Mark Darcy in the two Bridget Jones movies.
Tracie Bennett won an Audie award for Comedy Best Actress for her audio book narrations of both this and its predecessor.
