Rating: 
Summary: a fun read
Review: This look into the lives of the upper-crust of society, their "trophy" kids, and the nannies who raise the kids is a humorous and sad story. Some of the scenes and events are a little outrageous, but it's just to show how unbelievably demanding and unreasonable these rich parents can be. It was grand fun (and sometimes very frustrating) to read about the snobby rich people who are ultimately all unhappy and makes me feel thankful I'm not one of them. The plight of the underloved children is sad to read about. But mostly it was a fascinating and laughable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Never Lived Up to the Hype
Review: This book has rave reviews and I wonder did those reviewers actually read the book? It's a disjointed and wandering narrative that is not that good. It is sort of funny, but not really. The familt situation and the plight of that poor kid are the only emotionally resonant aspects of this book. The main character is weak and so is this literary attempt.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Terrible. Negative Stars.
Review: First, more than anything I just want the time I spent reading this book back to spend reading something more worthwhile. Hell, Danielle Steele poetry would be better. This book is the worst of all worlds. It makes you interested, and you complete the book, only to be absolutely frustrated with it. First, it tries to entice you with descriptions of the elite - a happy pasttime many share, the book prays on common envy and the dreams of wealth. But the book bludgeouns you, and never moves past this singlar gimmic of playing on an innate human desire to have more. Second, the protagonist, Nanny, is a doormat. I have never encountered a more frustrating, and vapid, character. Unfortunately, the authors think that this simple idiot is worthy of some pity, or admiration for allowing herself to be pushed around. It's really, in the end, disgusting. Third, let me ruin the ending - ... . There is no satisfaction in this book. Continually you think that a plot might develop, the book hints and lead you on... but there is no plot. The book makes you think that maybe, Nanny the protagonist will get a backbone. But she does not. I want the 3 hours of my life back that I spent reading this book. It is a waste of money. All I can say is that luckily the book is short. In fact, it is written so that a child could read it in an afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: PLEASE...What is all the fuss?
Review: A sophmoric attempt at best. I was excited to read this book and had great hopes for it. As a mother who has used nannys and as a former nanny myself, I was all set for some fun light reading. I enjoy "first" novels from up and coming young women writers and tend toward the genre. What a disappointment. The saddest thing, I think, is that the protaganist herself, is Mrs. X - just give her ten years. The authors don't even see it. Sad.
Rating: 
Summary: WARNING: A sad, sad story
Review: Based on Time's review, I expected a "lifestyles of the rich and famous" light beach-read. I see many reviews here that agree. (I hope they are not parents!) So I was very surprised to find a heart-wrenching and deeply depressing tale. I'd compare the last half to watching a shipwreck in slow-motion. It put quite a damper on the first few days of my vacation! That said, I'm glad I read it, and the quality is not bad for a first book. Of course it's a farce, but like good fiction and good farce it delivers the truth better than reality ever could.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book!!!
Review: "The Nanny Diaries" is a easy to read, easy to get into, and easy to love book. It was also hard to put down, my son literally ripped it out of my hand!
I laughed, I cried, I overall had an awesome time reading it. It was a perfect summer read.
Thank you and kudos to the authors for such an outstanding job on their first novel!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Read
Review: I love a book that I can pick up on a sunny summer afternoon and read in one sitting! The "Nanny Diaries" is that kind of book. The fact that former nannies wrote the book gave it great credibility. The sad truth is, women like Mrs. X really do exist (I have met them). Self indulgent and spoiled, I think they have childern because they are "supposed to" and know that they can afford to have help raising them. Nan in this story is great. I understand why she stuck with it long after she should have quit this nightmare of a job. Grayer was the one who would suffer her leaving and one has to wonder how he would have reacted when he found out she was gone. No wonder these people have trouble forming relationships in life! I too felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and found myself wanting to know if Nanny managed to find an apartment before she was tossed out by Mr. Hairy Pilot! I was hoping HH would offer her a room in his. There did seem to be a few too many loose ends here. Perhaps a sequel is in the works. I think that would be great. These two have written a nice, light, very readable book. I look forward to more from them in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Not funny
Review: Before I read this book I had the impression that it was lighthearted - kind of a "dish" about upper-crust parenting. I was wrong. It's a gripping page-turner, but a story that is very poignant and ultimately tragic. Poor-little-rich-boy Grayer is desperate for affection and attention from his self-centered, shallow parents. He takes what he can get from the series of nannies his mother hires, but he knows each will ultimately leave him to be replaced by another. This "fictional" family is unbelievably sad, but written by two former nannies, the story rings true. While "Nanny's" abuse at the hands of Mrs. X is often so outrageous as to be somewhat comical, it's Grayer's plight that stays in my mind. My heart aches for the Grayers of the world, many of whom are likely doomed to end up just like their pathetic, obviously unhappy parents.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprised
Review: I am very surprised this book is still on the best seller list. It is, at best, average; a quick semi-interesting read. I thought it would be a flash-in-the-pan & people would realize how average it is. I just wonder how it keeps on going....
Rating:
Summary: Fluffy and Funny, but Ultimately, a Throw-Away
Review: As a recently graduated NYU student who has worked for four wealthy NYC families, Nanny and I hit it off right away. The authors, both experienced nannies themselves, were really on point in terms most of the requirements of the nanny job, and I found myself, at times, laughing out loud with familiarity and empathy. The apartment tour (especially the description of the contents of the 'fridge), the strangely named progeny, the distractedness of the parents, the vacations, the hesitance of the child to welcome a new person into his life and the bond of trust and love that is quickly formed all ring true. Most importantly, and paramount to the plot of the novel is the theory that the nanny position is looked upon by the parents as a privilige they bestow upon one lucky, lovely individual. This is what causes all the snags in the parent-nanny relationship -- I found myself saying, "Been there, sister, I know!" when, for instance, Nanny had to rearrange her own schedule on short (or no) notice, beg for her paycheck and in the end, when she was easily dismissed. It is a strange set of relationships, that of the nanny-parent and nanny-child, and the authors really pull their experience together and pull it off. While the novel can claim the above success, it fails in other key areas. For example, many of the characters seem one-dimensional, due in part to silly pseudonyms such as "Nanny" "H.H." "Ms. Chicago" and "The Exes." Furthermore, as the novel progresses, many of the characters become more like caricatures. Mrs. X is pure evil. Mr. X is wealth and power at its worst. Grayer is the innocent victim. Nanny is the martyr. These exaggerations make the book less believeable as the plot progresses. For example, It is hard to feel for Nanny, who lets Mrs. X just walk all over her without a word. While Mrs. X is an unreasonable and selfish woman, as well as Nan's boss, Nanny is supposed to be a seasoned veteran of the baby-sitting circuit, and should have at least some idea of how to handle a tyraness like Mrs X. I found myself rooting less and less for Nan, rolling my eyes more and more frequently at her lack of spine. Furthermore, the writing in this book is amateur -- the style is fluffy and at times, trite. I found myself avoiding the authors attempts at descriptive writing, and skipping over cliches. I even found a typo on page 253, where "back" was spelled "beack." I've read a lot of customer reviews where people have said the one thing that spoiled the book for them was the lack of any resolution in the ending. In terms of the nanny situation, I can honestly say that such is the way 99% of nanny jobs end. "So long, Nanny!" -- you are breezily and carelessly dismissed when your boss has found someone who is willing to work more hours or take less pay than you are, no matter how strong a bond you have formed with the child. It is sad and it is unfortunate, but it is true. So, in my opinion, Nanny skipping off into the sunset, with H.H. and a big apartment/jobhunt on the future is pretty realistic, and therefore, satisfying to me. Bottom line: This book is a good summer read, light and airy but with a serious (if irreverent to some) message under the plot. If you like good writing and character development, stay away. But if you're just looking for a good time and a good glimpse into the lives of the wich and powerful -- and their neglected offspring -- then by all means, dive right in!
|
