Rating: 
Summary: Dark, but right on!
Review: I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves peeking into other people's worlds. I cannot believe that people actually live like the characters do in this book! While it can be dark at times, it is just such an interesting read that it had me hooked the entire time. Great summer read!
Rating: 
Summary: A great book, but chilling!
Review: I found this story about a college student, Nanny, working part-time (almost full-time because of her self-centered rich employer) as a nanny (what else?) refreshing and witty...and positively chilling when the rich employer, Mrs. X, behaves like Nanny is a used Kleenex worthy only of discarding, giving no thought to her (Mrs. X's own) four-year-old son, depriving Nanny of proper pay, treating her with coldness, derision and cruelty - why? Because she can. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where there are plenty of "exclusive" communities and you encounter the "I own the world" attitudes of the wealthy on a daily basis (especially on the roads when they're in their Mercedes SUVs and other road toys). I fully believe this type of thing is going on in the homes of the wealthy here, too - you don't have to be in New York. Woe to the kids - they really need to be "rooted for" (as in the book). Bravo to the authors for exposing this type of situation in a readable and digestible way. Mrs. X gives me chills to this day.
Rating: 
Summary: Witty satirical expose'
Review: I don't believe the targeted victims of this fictional rendition of nannydom will read it, let alone get the message, but it was for me a glimpse into a world so removed from the ordinary that I had to remind myself that hey, there are people like this, or these girls would never have come up with the concept of writing this novel. In a way, I would rather read the non-fiction version, but of course it would never have been published, or would languish on the bookshelves of sociolgy professors. After all, these are not stories of poor immigrant servants, or rich Arab princesses in a harem. Having said that, I enjoyed the story, and liken it to the Bonfire of the Vanities, but lacking the high drama. I'm looking into the idea of writing a witty satirical expose' on soccer moms!
Rating:
Summary: Best book I have read this year!
Review: Maybe I was just in the mood for something light and fun...and this book sure delivered. I loved every minute of it. Stayed up late and read it in three days. I hated Mr. and Mrs. X by the end of the book and just wanted to smack the Mrs. The scary thing is that there are people like that out there. Nanny is a great character with much class.....Someone should make this a movie-soon.
Rating:
Summary: MARY POPPINS MEETS DRACULA
Review: This is a book about parents (if you'd like to call them that) who pawn their children off to other people.
It's about giving birth without the mess.
"Here take him. I need a manicure, peticure, facial, what the hell, I need to be anywhere but here."This book is about Mrs. X decked out in Gucci, Prada, and Chanel. All dolled up with no place to go except maybe the country club or some committee meeting or shopping for the proper lavender water. She likes giving dinner parties... "Take Grayer upstairs for supper tonight, Nanny, I do not want to take the chance of crumbs falling on my Italian marble tile." It's about Mr. X. The absent father who gave the sperm to Mrs. X so she could become pregnant. The sperm was all he could spare.
He's like the Wizard of Oz, standing behind gold, velvet curtains issuing layoffs, merging devisions and carrying his cell phone around like a extension of himself. It's about sweet Nanny who is hired to play with 4 year old Grayer, bring him to French lessons, piano, art class, read to him from the Wall Street Journal (HA), wipe his forehead when he's sick, and love him...
because nobody else has the time. Mr. and Mrs. X seem to think they are not Mr. and Mrs. X... but Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. Well let me tell ya ... You aint no Kennedy, baby...nor will you ever be. I expected a no-brainer with this book, but I found so much more. Loved this line during the interview process... "Now she wants to know why, if I'm so fabulous, I would want to care for her child...I mean, she gave birth to it and she doesn't want to, so why should I?" The "Nanny Diaries" bring us into a world most of us (If we're lucky) haven't a clue about. A world of hipocrosy, greed, emptiness and the grooming of monsters. I, for one, was thrilled and appalled to be there...but just as happy to return to the reality of real people who acually take care of their own children!
Rating:
Summary: Right on the Ball
Review: After picking up the Nanny Diaries, I could not put it down! I myself have done quite a bit of babysitting for wealthy families, and could relate to similar situations. It's unbelievable the way "wealthy" people treat their children and those who work for them. The mothers spend all of their time shopping, or getting pampered at spas. This book truly replicates the actions of a self-indulgent and egotistical "trophy" wife. One who cares about nothing but herself. The only thing that I would have to disagree with is that most of these children are spoiled brats, they are a product of their environment.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, fast read
Review: This is a great beach read. Not too taxing on the brain, the pages seem to fly by as you go through it. I actually used to work with someone like Mrs. X in the novel (we were never quite sure why she had kids, as she couldn't seem to get away from them fast enough) so I found those scenes the funniest. Yes, Nanny's name is annoying as "Nanny", but you get over it fast. The most implausable part of the book is Nanny's falling for the rich neighbor upstairs and his returning her feelings. I just can't buy that at all! Take this book for what it is - a fun, fluffy book. Tolstoy it isn't but that's not what the book is aiming for, now is it?
Rating:
Summary: A fun, relaxing read
Review: I bought this book because reading about upscale, rich snobby people sounded like fun. It was. This book is written by 2 ex-nannies and takes a satirical approach in telling the tale of "Nanny" and her charge, Grayer. I enjoyed reading the book, being able to read a few pages and pick it back up again with ease. I didn't get hooked on the characters, or anything, so it wasn't a big emotional overload of a book. It was just FUN to read. However, I didn't really care for the way the book ended. If you read it, you might agree with me. I won't spoil it for you, though. This would be a great book to buy, then pass around to share with a group of friends.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read- I fell in LOVE
Review: This book was of interest to me as I have been a babysitter/nanny to many families. Seeing that I never have been in the same situation as Nanny, it has been my worst fear. I found myself in parallel with Nanny, always eager to please, and never having a moment to breathe for myself. I wound up loving Grayer and shuddering at everyword from Mrs. X's mouth. She was a character that seemed so true to life as an upperclass rich do-anything with her life woman (except care for her son, that is) and that made me hate her even more. Nanny was so endearing and kind and wonderful to Grayer. Through moments of really wanting to scream at him, she found herself closer to loving him. This is how I see myself with the children I care for. I usually fall in love with all of them! But I find that the parents are just as caring unlike the Xes'. Such a wonderful best seller. I am glad I am able to relate. Anyone who loves kids and has ever been in the same position as nanny and myself would love this book. I have to say the end was so powerful, but I felt it to be a little quick ending. So strong and very symbolic. SO GREAT! Pick up this book, I am sure you won't was your money!
Rating:
Summary: Funny and engaging; great light reading
Review: This book describes the life of a young woman working as a "part-time" nanny while attending college in NYC. Her employers are the ultimate definition of "rich dysfunctional," a couple who cares more for their high-class clothes and furniture than their adorable 4-year old son Grayer. But the main character (aptly named "Nan," or Nanny), can't help but fall in love with Grayer, which causes her to quietly accept being treated as less than human by her employers. Although the behavior of the rich couple is so outlandish as to seem unbelievable, the authors spent years as nannies themselves in NYC, and the implication is that they encountered similar abhorable behavior and worse. However, Nanny's passive acceptance of her treatment by the couple is even more difficult to understand, to the point which it was frustrating to read. Despite this, I enjoyed this lighthearted book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable read.
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