Rating: 
Summary: Depressing, yet touching
Review: Most of the reviewers have given a wonderful synopsis of the book, so I won't do that. What I will do is tell you that, yes, there are people like the Xs in this world. When Nanny describes the "spatula", I recognized it immediately, having seen it performed numerous times. I've also known people personally whose attention-starved children behaved exactly like Grayer does - this book was pretty realistic. It breaks your heart when he starts wearing his Daddy's tie just to have a little piece of him.Nanny is a ridiculous wimp, though. Let's face it - she's young, American, white and a college student. She could have her pick of any nanny job in New York. Anyone else would have run like hell after the first week. But I understand why she stayed on after awhile - she got attached to Grayer. And that was realistic, too. She couldn't bear to see him abandoned by yet another person he loves. Like many other reviewers, I came away from this book upset and feeling low. But I recommend it, especially for anyone who grew up resentful because they didn't have a rich Mommy and Daddy. See what you were missing. :(
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, hilarious...and heartbreaking all in one...
Review: I knew after reading the first few pages of this book that I was going to finish in quicker than the last 10 books I've read. I loved it. I was a nanny for about 10 years for different families...and although my experience was nothing like that of the main character 'Nanny'...I did understand why she would stay in such a horrible position. Nanny took on a job taking care of a little boy - and his disfuntional family. Mom and Dad...better known as Mr. & Mrs. X are two rich-upper class people more concerned with their own lives than that of their little boy. They don't know him - and they don't want to. The amazing thing about this book is that even though there are some very difficult issues there - the writing by these two authors is so funny that you actually can laugh while being discusted at the same time. Although I didn't want the book to end...I did want to see what Nanny would do in the end. I was cheering for her to finally stand up and defend not only herself but little 'Grove' as well. Someone wrote that she has issues and this is why she stayed in this bad situation. And maybe even loved this little boy too much. Can you love a child too much? I think not. I loved 'my kids' that I cared for with every ounce of my being. I would have done absolutely anything for them. They became a part of me. So, the answer to why she would stay? She stayed for the very reason that she choose to be a nanny for so many families in the first place. For the children. There is no better reason. My hope is that even one parent will read this book and look at his or her child differently. There are some amazing parents out there - and I was luckily enough to meet a mother and father that could give lessons to all the rest - but luckier than me are their three beautiful children. I loved it - and commend the authors for writing it.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware the ending!
Review: I too found this book addictive but disturbing. I could not put it down at first then I realized about 50 pages from the end that there was no way it was going to end well. It broke my heart and made me ill to think that there are people out there who treat their children so hideously and then dismiss the only person that cares about them (the nanny) on a whim. I wanted to smash Mrs. X in the face and wish "Nanny" had grown a backbone and at least told her what a horrible person/mother she was (as if she would have cared). For those of us with young children who strive everyday to give them the love and attention they need to become happy secure adults, this book is a real downer.
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to put down!
Review: This is really a great read. Intelligent, very well-written, witty, human and compassionate in describing a work relationship that spirals into co-dependent behavior - I know many people who have had that kind of experience in real life.
When I bought the book, the store assistant told me it was a great choice, and she was absolutely right!
Rating:
Summary: Equal To The Hype
Review: Given the many words that have already been written about this book, I will be brief in my comments. If you like books that are populated by emotionally realistic characters uttering pitch perfect dialogue and living in a setting that is absolutely essential to the story, then The Nanny Diaries belongs in your library. Even if you have never been on either side of the nanny experience, it will not be difficult to relate to the situations and emotions which are depicted in this book. McLaughlin and Krause have done a magnificent job of creating a story that is at times funny, is at times infuriating, but is always entertaining. All told, The Nanny Diaries is a worthy addition to any bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Wonderful Book
Review: I selected this book after reading a memoir with a very difficult subject matter. I didn't expect this to be a great novel. I just wanted something light to read. I even checked it out of the library instead of purchasing it at the bookstore. The first few pages with their wonderful wit immediately drew me in. I was hooked and could not put it down. My husband and daughter kept trying to keep me away from it, but I just couldn't stop reading. I grew feelings for Nanny and the little boy. I would find myself angry, then sad, then laughing out loud. I didn't want it to end. It's a wonderful book. I have recommended it to all of my friends and haven't received bad feedback yet. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A Lively, Fun read -- worth your time.
Review: Nanny (that's her name in the book) is a senior at NYU who has been babysitting since she was 13. In the first chapter, she tells us that the secret to getting a nanny job is not decorating your advertisement but rather liberally sprinkling it with exclamation points! Ironically, Nanny meets the X 'family' while walking through Central Park. There are three members of the X family: Mr. X, Mrs. X and Grayer Allerston X. Mr. X is a high powered executive who is having an affair, Mrs. X does not need to work but rarely spends time with Grayer and Grayer is a precocious 4 year old boy who takes piano lessons, karate lessons, French class, swimming lessons, ice skating and Mommy and Me (where half of the 'Mommies' are Nannies. This is just the beginning, but, rest assured, this is a lively, fun read! The best novel I read since THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. Both books are highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Sarcastic Goodness
Review: "The Nanny Diaries" was one of the best books I've read in a while. Nanny, the main character was easy to relate to and it was nice to read about someone my own age. The authors diffinately nailed what it's like to work full time while being a senior in college. Contrary to what some severely sheltered girls my age would think, there really are families like the X's out there, that made it all the more funny to me. This book was so dry and sarcastic that it inspired me to be nasty and indifferent in a giggly sort of way for the entire week after I read it. I recommend it to any girl in school right now. Especially if you're working that tunnel- vision inducing, long hour, no pay, self- esteem shattering job just to pay your rent and tuition. All of the relationships in the story unwound and intertwined in a believable fashion, except one. I wanted Nanny's relationship with H.H. to flow a little better. There was a point where they were talking and it was hard to guess what was going on between them. Other than that, her communication with her parents was refreshing, not the typically portrayed defiant twenty- something year old with something to prove. She had a great friendship with her grandmother, who served as a spunky advisor/mediator. The family's mannerisms around each other were loveable and querky.
Altogether, I thought this was an awsome girly book. Perfect for venting and a couple consecutive rainy days.
Rating:
Summary: The Nanny Diaries: A Novel
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of the X's, an extraordinarily wealthy couple and their young son. The book, which revolves greatly around Nanny's unwilling involvement in the lives of the X's is both funny and sad. It is important to note that this book was written by two former Manhattan nannies, who really know and understand the life. As an elementary teacher at a private school, I could relate to some of Nanny's trials and tribulations. Much of this book is, sadly, true to life.
Rating:
Summary: Great insider's view
Review: This book broke my heart. I couldn't put it down until the ending, and the ending was more than a little shocking. This book is a great insider's view of children's caretakers in rich New York but it is such a surprise to see how callous and self-absorbed some parents can be. It's a wonder any little kids in rich New York grow up half normal, if they do. In the end, this book is a testament to love and its huge importance in the smallest person's life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but hope to never meet people like those portrayed in the book.
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