Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the time to read
Review: Can somebody please explain to me why so many other customers are fawning over this novel. The writing just doesn't work, and in some cases doesn't make sense. I expected clearer writing from an Ivy League grad, something other than the fillet-o-cliches Weisberger dishes out. Plus I'm sorry, but I can't sympathize with the winy, annoying narator (make her stand in line for government cheese, shop at a Wal-Mart, something that tells me she's been struggling!) She works in the fashion magazine industry, for a TYPICAL, no nonsense boss. Whoop-de-doo! The part where she has to drive that $80k sports car, while wearing that Prada outfit, girl I just wept for Andrea. Right.
The Dirty Girls Social Club is a much better and funnier read, by, I'm sorry to say, Ms. Weisberger, a much clearer and more experienced writer.
Rating: 
Summary: So boring I skipped almost 3/4 of it
Review: In a weird coincidence, both this book (on CD) and The Nanny Diaries (in print) arrived for me on hold at our local library the same day. It was like having two copies of the same book, both of which were boring and annoying. After reading (or listening to) about the first quarter of each book, I skipped to the last chapter or two, just to make sure that I wouldn't miss any strange and sudden surprises. I didn't. While listening to this book, I was put off by several elements: the reference to "Jappy" college colleagues, the narrator's inability to tell her two Indian roommates apart after living with them for a year, her repeated use of the ear-grating phrase "as best as." What is supposed to be so compelling about characters who have the boss from hell and are too stupid to quit? I'm glad that I didn't waste time reading both of these books in full, and that writing this review constitutes the last chunk of my time they will take up.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked it
Review: After reading so many negative reviews, I bought the book anyway. Frankly, I like it. I think everyone has had a boss like Andrea's at one time or another. It was funny and I could put it down and pick it up without losing the flow of it.
Rating:
Summary: I'd like to be different, but...
Review: As much as I would like to stand up for Lauren and say, "No, this was a well written novel!" I just can't. The simple reason is that it isn't. It was initially entertaining but so incredibly inconsistent throughout. Andrea's character had no depth, you did not find yourself feeling for her or becoming connected to her in any way. Anyone who tolerates this type of abuse, in my opinion, deserves it. I am not quite sure how Ms. Weisberger wanted you to feel about her main character. I did finish the book but I feel bad for the author because I think she does show promise but may not be able to recoup from this poor attempt at a novel (one that was highly anticipated as well!)
Rating:
Summary: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About the Fashion Industry
Review: The Devil Wears Prada is a tedious account of an aspiring young writer's effort jumpstart her writing career by taking a job with Runway (read Vogue) magazine. Her tolerance of her boss's tyranny leads one to wonder about her own concept of self worth. After reading this book, I will never lust after designer clothing.
Rating:
Summary: Good summer reading
Review: I enjoyed the book & thought it provided an interesting perspective of a world I had never even wondered about. Last year I really enjoyed The Nanny Diaries, which this is repeatedly compared to, and I enjoyed both. They both shed light on the world of the over-privaleged and come from the perspective of a young, well balanced employee. Beyond that they don't share the same message so it isn't a repeat read!
Rating:
Summary: What do editors do?
Review: It's always a problem when it takes 150 pages into a book before it gets entertaining. The writing got a bit better, too. The book seemed like a rough draft with subplots like Andreas best friend Lily, boyfriend Alex, and writer Christian thrown in for good measure. The book could have easily been 200 pages. There is an obscene amount of redundency, and it is beyond wordy. I don't understand what editors get paid to do anymore. Publishers have a responsibility to correct grammar and punctuation. Ms. Weisberger should get a new editor for future ventures. I did relate to working for an insane boss. Miranda Priestley was believable and the best drawn character. I am sure Ms.Weisberger has some talent and could be a great writer.
Rating:
Summary: Literary pair of leather pants
Review: I bought this book after seeing Lauren on the "Today Show." I happen to like this genre that so many are maligning (Nanny Diaries, Bridget Jones) You know what you are getting, if you don't like it for God's sake, spend your money on Tolstoy, non-fiction. I read the Wall Street Journal so I deserve a light, escapist read and this is precisely that. I read it during an airplane flight and sitting by the pool. It is not the best book I ever ready but it was enjoyable, funny, sad and pathetic. Andrea is just a kid, she does childlike things as she aches to grow up. Sounds like me at 23. Read it and enjoy it for what it is... campy fun. I hate people who turn a pair of leather pants into something important. This is a literary pair of leather pants. Looks good, feels good, not a necesity.
Rating:
Summary: fun book, but some complaints
Review: Andrea Sachs from small-town Connecticut has just graduated from Brown and accepted a job as junior personal assistant to Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine. As Andy is told repeatedly (and as she rotely tells others), "it's a job that a million girls would die for!" All she has to do is work there for a year, and she can basically have any job she wants -- for her, it is a writing position at The New Yorker. But it is hell, and Miranad is the devil, and she indeed wears Prada. Not only that, but she insists everyone around her is also fashionably dressed, or they risk getting fired.This book reads a lot like "The Nanny Diaries" by Emma McLaughlin, and Miranda reflects a lot of the unplacatable, high-maintenance nastiness of that book's Mrs. X. However, here there is no child involved (Miranda does have children but they are not central to the plot) and, unlike Mrs. X, Miranda does have a job -- a job that grants her power and access which she abuses, as the entire city of New York (as well as the elite of Europe)is willing to serve her. Andy is so overworked at this first job during her year of servitude that she neglects her parents, older sister, boyfriend, and her best friend Lily, who shows signs of being a raging alcoholic. Andy thinks she does not have a choice, and everyone points out to her that she does. But Miranda is like an eclipse -- she blots out everything else. I do have an issue with this book, which took away from my enjoying it --- when Andy lived with the two Indian girls Shanti and Kendra, she depicts them as quiet with no lives, and when Andy later moves in with Lily, she says she loves Indian food, but can't stand the smell of curry any longer. Later, when describing how she is so overworked that she never gets to eat, she says "it's like f****** Ramadan here." Seriously, if you are not above stereotyping a race or cursing in reference to a religion and absolutely MUST do it, at least do it to your own. It's rude and insensitive to your readers, and adds nothing to the plot. It marred what was otherwise an enjoyable, captivating book for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Whiny protagonist
Review: This book had a lot of promise. Like many others, I eagerly anticipated it's arrival, the first couple chapters certainly drew me in as I have friends who work for Conde Naste (aka Condescending and Nasty) and I know what they go through. But the problem is by the end of the book I found myself skipping paragraphs of Andrea's constant whining, it became very stale very quickly...other than that it's amusing reading. I'm surprised Anna Wintour isn't suing the author!
|
