I USED TO KNOW THAT

Lessons from your bookshelf long-forgotten

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (VIA BRIDGET JONES)

There have been many adaptations of this classic but Bridget Jones’s Diary is our favourite. Bridget is gripped by the BBC P&P adaptation but doesn’t see the parallels with her own life: an overbearing mother eager to marry off her children, an eligible gentleman (whether at the Meryton Ball or Turkey Curry Buffet, initial impressions are unfavourable). Another charmer soon appears – Wickham/Daniel Cleaver. Meanwhile, Darcy and Darcy make a declaration of interest. Romance is dashed by family disgrace: Lydia runs off with Wickham, Bridget’s mum with dodgy Julio. Darcy comes to the rescue and they live happily ever after (at least, in Bridget’s case, until the sequel – an indignity Lizzie never had to endure). V.G.