Rating: 
Summary: The Life of The Rich
Review: This book offers a great read, but one that makes you feel as if you want something more. Grayer, the son of the rich "X" family deserved more than what he was getting, the only person who loved him was Nanny who was abused and neglected in a sense by Grayer's parents. This is one book that's tough to put down, because you want to see what the insane rich family will do to further neglect Grayer, and/or abuse Nanny.
Rating:
Summary: A quick read with bite!
Review: I loved the book and was amazed to think that it had been written by two friends as the writing doesn't have a fragmented feel at all. The story is entertaining, the characters memorable. These authors really "get" kids, and even if you don't like their satirical take on rich Manhattan mommies, you will probably be able to empathize with little Grayer, whose hunger for parental attention is palpable.I, too, found it hard to take Nan's spineless acceptance of her poor treatment by the X adults, but enjoyed the book despite its (few) faults.
Rating:
Summary: How much would you withstand to protect a child?
Review: Although this book had some amusing, endearing moments of times spent between a nanny and a child, the heart-wrenching undercurrent of serious loneliness and loss will tug you under throughout the book. How long would you stay in a situation where you found your sanity being called into question if there was someone you loved involved? What about if that someone was a child? If your love for a child or someone else and desire to help that someone presides over any sense of making the situation more fair and tolerable for yourself, and if you have ever found yourself withstanding shabby, unfair treatment from someone you dislike and mistrust (and others can't see why you put up with it - and call you a doormat), for the not-so-simple reason of wanting to protect and stay with a child that you love, then you will be especially able to identify with Nanny as she takes the punches from the Xes in order to stay with Grayer, who has stolen her heart and will steal yours as well.
Rating: 
Summary: My dog smiles but he never laughs
Review: The Prologue in this book, titled "The Interview", is where the marrow is, the rest of the "diaries" is like gnawing off oxtail meat, small tasty treats of meat stuck in a cog-shaped bone. "The Interview" describes in wonderful satirical detail how the Lab/Retriever Mix (prospective nanny) and the silky Afghan Hound (prospective employer) sniff each other's good offices to see whether the employment arrangement is going to work. Barring something completely fish-mulchy smelling, it's a foregone conclusion that good-natured nanny will work for the haughty upper-classite. The authors do a poor job convincing the reader that the nanny's nannee, or charge, a four year old child, is worth nine months of "take this, you dog" from her employer. The child comes across almost as shrill as his mother, and why not, he's from genetic cold-fish stock (both parents are dogfish). And I really don't understand why the nanny agrees to work in households where the Lady does not have a private secretary or assistant to attend to all her personal details and errands so that she herself does not get cajoled into those duties. You can't help but think the nanny asked for it, knowing as she does HOW these high-strung wealthy families are and choosing to do the work anyway. Also, I wonder what the "other side of the story is", how MANY times did she nip off the employer's booze bottles and then fill them with water. I think we need to hear from one of the Upper-Crusties (or a team of them, writing together as in the case of this book), about how the hired help watches their every move like they're writing a diary about them and undermines their instructions regarding their children. I'm not sure how you'd make that funny, it'd be like telling your dog jokes (he never laughs!)
Rating:
Summary: Airplane Reading...
Review: Prepare to be flung into the utterly depressing world of NYC snobs and thier indifference toward their children and the "help". This story of a college student hired to work for Mrs. "X" is not a comedy as advertised, but a sad look into a world where nannies play the part of parent while the real ones waste their time on shopping and treat their children like a disease. I give this book three stars not because it left a bad taste in my mouth, but because the writing was substandard and the characters flat. Still, a prospective reader should take it for what it's worth: a brainless but entertaining novel on a very intriguing subject that will help pass the time. (Admittidly, I read the whole thing today and couldn't put it down.)
Rating:
Summary: another nanny's opinion
Review: The authors really exposed the wealthy's dirty laundry. An enlightning book for those who are not familiar with the lifestyle of these people. I work as a nanny in a very affluent area very close to Manhattan and a lot of employers around here are like Mr. and Mrs. X with children like Grayer.
Rating:
Summary: Good read...unfortunately true
Review: I just finished this book and really liked it. If the reader is familiar at all with Manhattan and the Upper East Side lifestyle they will find that unfortunately this story is right on target. Of course not all Upper East Side families with nannies live like this but many do and their children are like accessories to be neither seen nor heard. While in NYC (a regular visitor myself now, born and raised there) all you see on Madison, Park, and Fifth is stroller after stroller being pushed by the nanny...in stores and in the park same theme. Mummies are out lunching, getting their hair and nails done and shopping. It is a sub-culture in itself hard for those who have never been exposed to it to believe. But the main character "nan" is honest in her feelings and very funny at times. Mrs. X fits the mold perfectly of the cold hearted mother with no time for anyone but herself who gets so preoccupied in her own little world that she drives her husband away. The poor boy whom nanny cares for will be, like many of those raised by help without love and warmth from their parents, most likely scarred for life as a result. The book keeps you hooked and you don't want to put it down. I wouldn't call it a comedy though, there are parts that are very funny but on the human side it is sad because it's true.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but ending disappointing
Review: This book was a little slow to start. This is probably because I do not have children of my own, though I have plenty of nightmare baby sitter stories from my high school
days! Overall, the book is pretty entertaining. I think it is still worth reading, though I have to say a lot of the story line was expected and cliché. If you're looking for
something totally shocking, it just doesn't happen, even at the end. I think I would have liked the book better if the ending truly had absolution for some of the characters,
which it did not. I just did not think that the ending did the book justice. I will say, however, that it was pretty amusing hearing about all the high end products in the
book. I am proud to say that I knew about 70% of them. I'm off to buy my own L'Occitane Lavender linen water this weekend!
Rating:
Summary: Better than i expected
Review: I received this book as a gift, and, based on what I'd heard, I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found the tone, the subject, and the nanny and Grayer, her 4yo charge, engaging. Mrs. X was rendered as both hateful and worthy of pity, while Mr. X was painted as a cardboard figure, the epitome of the philandering AWOL dad. The writing was good (I'd give it a B), although some of the transitions were confusing. The success of this book is not surprising, but I doubt it will stand the test of time. It should, however, make a hilarious movie, one that will NOT appeal to wealthy Manhattan couples who hire nannies. They will all be too worried about seeing themselves!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful satire or a true story?
Review: I was a nanny several years ago for about 10 minutes. I couldn't take the ridiculous demands from the parents and the neglect for the children so I left the job and the profession. I never told anyone my stories and I forgot the entire incident, until I read this book. As unbelievable as Mrs. X's demands were, they rang true. Writing this book must have been cathartic for the authors and it is a real kick for the reader. The book won't change your life, but it is definitely worth reading.
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