Customer Reviews

Cause Celeb

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Having enjoyed the Bridget Jones books like so many others, I was curious to see what else Helen Fielding had written, and came across Cause Celeb. I didn't have any specific expectations, although I suppose I was hoping for more of Fielding's wit and keen observations. I was very pleasantly suprised by this book, and came away from it quite impressed by Fielding's capabilities as an author.

This time, the heroine is Rosie Richardson, a London woman who has somehow fallen into a career that she doesn't quite seem to like or understand, has a penchant for the wrong type of man, and ditches it all to go do relief work in famine stricken Africa (the last bit was definitely not what I had expected!). As the 'wrong' man is somewhat of a celebrity, the readers get a peek into the exclusive world of the famous, with it's etiquette, rules and self-importance. The contrast between this world and that in Africa is, of course, enormous, but Fielding does not get overtly moralistic and simply presents the two universes as they co-exist and occasionally intermingle.

The characters are wonderful, from preening celebrities to other relief workers to the Africans. Rosie's encounters with all of them are funny, interesting and well-fleshed out. And Fielding has great fun with the concept of celebrity and it's ridiculousness, with using the famous to raise money for causes and whom it helps more - the celebrities orthe needy? The descriptions of the horrors of famine and starvation are presented speak for themselves. I got so engrossed in the book that I found myself having to put it down at times, too stressed the relief wouldn't arrive in time for those who needed it!

My one minor complaint about the book - which did not prevent me from enjoying it tremendously - is that there was so much going on that I didn't really feel I knew Rosie all that well. I appreciated her wit, her humanity, her togetherness and so on, but I never got a clear picture of her - it was kind of blurry amidst so many other characters and such a huge background. But this is a small issue, and I problably noticed it only because the Bridget books were so much about Bridget that we saw everything through her eyes. Although Rosie narrates the book, it isn't quite as much her story.

Still, I highly recommend Cause Celeb to anyone who enjoyed the Bridget books or who would like to read an engrossing book that tells an interesting, not overdone, story.

Having absolutely LOVED "Bridget Jones' Diary" (Can't wait for the sequel! ), I was glad to find another title by Ms. Fielding. This book didn't quite have the ever-present humor of "Bridget", but since it's set in a more sobering community I can forgive. I thought it was easy to read, kept me interested, and gave me some small sense of Learning Something. I enjoyed it very much.

After gobbling down The Edge of Reason I was curious to read Fielding's first novel, and hoping to re-experience some of the style I so enjoyed (actually, loved!) with Bridget. Cause Celeb fits the bill. While the protagonist is a less-extreme Bridget, more sure of herself in general, you can see Bridget's roots in Rosie and Fielding's style evolving. While the Bridget books are, let's face it, poor, unbridled silliness (Hurrah! What fun!), Cause Celeb has more of a social conscience, not only regarding the plight of Africa but with Rosie herself acknowledging she is worthy of more than being a doormat for the lunacy of a man. And, the best thing, tho superfluous...it's a slower read than Bridget, delaying the inevitable "What do I read now?" feeling! Keep 'em coming, Helen! Mmmmmm...

I was in a bit of a contemporary fiction malaise (awaiting the Canadian publication of The Edge of Reason) and picked up Cause Celeb on a lark. Helen Fielding demonstrates that she can write beyond Bridget, crafting a story that is engrossing and satisfying. Her use of timing (jumping back-and-forth across 4-5 years) does more than serve as a means to an end, it sets the stage for the culmination of Rosie's "worlds" - fabulous! Her descriptions of the intracies of diplomacy in developing countries are funny, in a sad-but-true sort of way. Ultimately, I just really liked the way she told the story, it was the right amount of description coupled with dialogue (at least for me!). Let me one thing out of the way: Oliver *is* like Daniel. I thought that "complicated" Oliver would get old pretty fast, but I ended up sympathizing with Rosie (like I did with Bridget), because we've all been there. My only real problem with Cause Celeb was the lack of Rosie's character development. She's in London, and then five years later, she's in Nambula, and there's no real explanation of her motivation for staying (and how it's changed her). The ending, while wholly predictable, was nice and left me feeling satisfied. Helen Fielding *must* be encouraged to write beyond Bridget in the future, if Cause Celeb is any indication of the powerful and thoughtful stories she has to tell.

After a desperately awful blind date I reread Bridget Jones' Diary (very therapeutic) and then went in search of more Helen Fielding. I liked Cause Celebre, particularly the interactions between Rosie Richardson and the diabolical Oliver. The depiction of the African famine is interesting and unsentimental. The book isn't as tight or as confident as Bridget Jones, but it's a hell of a first novel. I wait impatiently for Fielding's next book.

Unlike some other people, I went into this book not expecting Bridget Jones. What I found was actually closer to Bridget than I thought in some sections. However, Rosie is a stronger woman-she just doesn't know it yet. Fielding's characterizations of the celebrities, as well as the relief workers, were well-rounded, and the action was fast paced. But most of all, I never thought I would laugh out loud while reading about a famine. The scenes where the celebrities first encounter the Africans are quite funny. Later on though, while one celebrity is photographed holding a starving child, all I could picture was Sally Struthers wandering through the camps with tears in her eyes--and Fielding's point hit home. Cause Celeb is an interesting statement on the place of celebrity in our society--and how it can actually be used for good, even if those doing the good are vile people. I recommmend ths book.

too many people think that this will be like bridget jones' diary. it's not. it's better. my aunt lives in london and brought me this book. i couldn't put it down. the story is not like anything i've ever read. but it is a love story in the truest sense of the word. i have since bought copies as gifts for lots of friends and they have all enjoyed it as much as i did. just don't expect bridget jones and you'll love it.

Very entertaining; couldn't put it down. Came upon this after finishing the delightful Bridget Jones' Diary. How she combines comedy (albeit satire) with the harrowing situation in Africa without trivializing is particularly deft. Am I the only person that thought her villains - Oliver and Daniel in BJD were awfully similar?

Helen Fielding is best known for writing Bridget Jones's Diary -- the often imitated but never duplicated novel. I can't believe it took me this long to read her first effort! Set in England and Africa, we are introduced to Rosie: a sweet but self-deprecating (what did you expect? This is Helen Fielding!) heroine whose crush on a celebrity brought her to Africa. Needless to say the trip to Africa isn't as glamorous as anticipated. There are flashbacks of when she falls for the celeb in London. The scenes are hilarious!

This isn't Bridget Jones, but Cause Celeb has enough fun and charm to satisfy readers. I have become a fan of British humor, and this book has plenty of it!

After reading the Bridget Jones novels, I couldn't wait to read another Helen Fielding novel. What an incredible surprise! This book does have it's Bridget-esque moments, but I found it to be much more mature and touching than Fielding's later efforts (Cause Celeb was published in '94). People who are wanting a romantic, funny romp like the BJD books will be very surprised. While the book has it's funny moments, I was more moved by Fielding's harrowing descriptions of what Rosie, the workers, and refugees go through. I found Rosie's trip to the capital of the African country horrifying and touching at the same time. As much as I love Bridget Jones, I would have to say that this story is much more engrossing and touching, and I hope that many people check out this well-written first novel by Helen Fielding.