Rating: Summary: A true representation of people who "think" they are above Review: Having worked with young people in the capacity of a learning coach for ten+ years, I can truly identify with the authors. IN NYC or Texas, there are pompous people who take advantage of those who care for their children in any capacity. What the authors portray are the less educated, low self-esteemed trophy wife who leads the caregiver to the end of her rope. The authors deserve a medal, as all of us who have been there and done that for the sake of the child. How well I could identify with the authors who, like myself, are looked down on, taken advantage of, and used until we gave up. And all for the sake of a privileged child who will forget the dedication of the caregiver and still want Mommy after all the excuses and abscences.My sympathies to all the children of these homes. Highly recommend.
Rating: Summary: A fun and easy read, but thin fare overall Review: *The Nanny Diaries* is junk food for the mind, easy to swallow and superficially satisfying, but ultimately at best a momentary guilty pleasure. Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus were shrewd enough to perceive that well over a decade after Tom Wolfe's *A Bonfire of the Vanities,* another literary skewering of ultrarich New Yorkers would find a receptive audience. Unfortunately, these two young women possess nowhere near the literary talents of a Tom Wolfe, and the result is mildly absorbing but in the end, annoyingly shallow.Certainly it is fun to frolic through this new indictment of the galling self-absorption of the superwealthy, and I have no doubt that there are people in Manhattan very much like "Mr. and Mrs. X." That many among the superrich treat their offspring mainly as expensive possessions to be cared for by disposable, poorly paid employees is undoubtedly true. However, it's all too easy to forget that in a work of fiction authors can make up the characters, plot, and details any way they like. McLaughlin and Krause chose to create cardboard cutout villains with "you may hiss" veritably tattooed on their foreheads. Whereas I certainly don't mind seeing the power elite raked over the literary coals, I am confident that the reality of nannies and nanny-hiring New Yorkers is actually somewhat more complex than the presentation in this novel suggests. Another problem is that the protagonist, "Nanny," is herself not particularly likable. Yes, yes, she is admirably dedicated to the child for whom she cares, but aside from this there seems to be little "there" there. Her complete inability to deal with her employers in an assertive manner quickly becomes annoying, and her essential shallowness is evidenced by her instantaneous infatuation with a winsome young man apparently simply because he is a "Harvard Hunk." So is there a political or social statement lurking here somewhere? Yes, but it's one that is sadly meek. Sure, we all resent arrogant would-be aristocrats like Mr. and Mrs. X and we would like to fantasize that REALLY they are miserable, but ultimately most of us envy their money, lifestyle, and connections and do absolutely nothing politically toward reducing their power and privilege. This novel utters a kind of pseudo-populist squeak of protest against the excesses of the upper classes, but I suspect that shortly after the book is put down, most readers daydream more about joining the ranks of the ruling elite than they do about closing the huge and growing gap in wealth between the superrich and the rest of society.
Rating: Summary: Quite hilarious! Review: I imagine this tale of a nanny for a rich family is probably an accurate portrail of the outlandish requests that one with such disposable income can try and have another human being do for them. The Nanny Diaries is laugh out loud funny and an easy read. This book is circulating around our office and is often a hot topic in the employee breakroom!
Rating: Summary: Good Pool-side reading only. Review: This story doesn't require a lot of thought. It just ambles along and leads to a predictable end. The book was loaned to me and I am glad I didnt purchase it - it was a quick and dirty beach read but was not suitable for holing up in the winter for some serious reading.
Rating: Summary: Bought it in local bookstores Review: Heard its great, and look up review here .... bought it, kinda disappointed .... read it only when you have time :/
Rating: Summary: Heartbreaking Story of Manhattan's Elite World of Child Care Review: The authors of The Nanny Diaries, two former nannies themselves, paint a very disturbing picture of child-rearing for Manhanhattan's creme-de-la-creme. The nanny, appropriately named Nan, is hired by Mrs. X to provide child care assistance to her son, Grayer. However, there is so much more involved in this that will make your head spin. From errands for Mrs. X, to entertaining numerous children in a restaurant parking lot, to looking for Mr. X's mistress' panties in their posh Park Avenue apartment; none of which Nan signed up for. Each day of Grayer's life has been strictly structured by Mrs. X to which Nan is to accompany him. French lessons, ice skating, play dates, "Mommy" and Me classes (however all the "mommies" are nannies). Nan soon realizes that her biggest task is not supervising and enriching the life of Grayer, but keeping Mrs. X happy at all times no matter the cost. A very hard task to achieve. It is the heart of Nan that makes this book so enjoyable. After all the wicked treatment and requests she has put up with from Mrs. X, Nan dreads the thought of quitting the job and leaving Grayer. She knows Grayer is starving for affection and attention from his "parents". Nan cannot understand how they cannot see the awesome little person he is becoming, the amazing workings of his mind and the cute ideas only a four-year-old can conjour up. The Nanny Diaries will make your heart sink and swell at the same time.
Rating: Summary: not what it's cracked up to be Review: I chose this book thinking it would be a funny, satirical look at the ultra wealthy, and in many ways it is, however, to me it was mostly depressing. I didn't come away from the book feeling "yeah, they nailed them!" I came away feeling sad and disappointed. This is not the book to pick up if you want a good laugh, if you want a real downer--go for it.
Rating: Summary: Compelling Review: I've never been a nanny, and if, as other reviewers say, this is an accurate portrait of being a nanny to the rich, then I'm appalled. With that said, I couldn't put the book down. In fact, I stayed up all night to read it in one sitting. The descriptions of the X's reminded me of Sex & the City (the book, not the series), but The Nanny Diaries, is much, much better written. Aside from the voyeuristic thrill of seeing into the Park Avenue lifestyle, two things kept me reading. The relationship between Nanny and her charge Grayer is very sweet and tender. And I was waiting to see if Nanny would stick it out or if she would tell her employer to take a hike. I waited for a long time to read this book, because I didn't think I would like it. However, I found it compelling and a very good read.
Rating: Summary: a quick, not to be put down read Review: I devoured this book in one afternoon... can this reaaly be happening?
Rating: Summary: INCREDIBLE!! Review: I laughed, cried, and found myself truly amazed on some points. I could not put this book down. The day to day struggle of raising a four year old is cleverly detailed in these chapters. I could not believe that I found myself feeling sympathetic toward a child worth millions. He is spoiled by money...not love. This book is a must read--highly entertaining.
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