Rating: 
Summary: read it for what it says, not how it says it
Review: The content of The Nanny Diaries is right on, but the writing itself is amateurish. I found a lot of the authors' comments on upper east side wealth to be hilarious and evident of their years of experience as nannies. They know how to write satire, it seems to me. However, it is also evident that these two women are new novelists. I think they should have written a satircal essay rather than a novel. The authors could have packed the criticism into fewer pages and cut out all the poorly developed filler narrative of Nanny's relationships and family troubles. I was particularly lost when a casual acquaintence suddenly materialized into a boyfriend in order to give readers some romance and Nanny someone to cry to. Crafting a sympathetic character is a difficult task in this satire; Nanny seems to be no different from her Park Avenue clients. She appreciates fine clothing, such as Prada, and has obviously had breeding similar to that of the X family, especially in terms of the education she's received. The man she dates, whose values are that of New York elite, even lives in the X's building. I lost sympathy for the smug, self-righteous Nanny by the end of the novel. The elements of the story don't hang together, but the satirical commentary of the X family is completely accurate, and prospective readers in search of a laugh (and a self-satisfied pat on the back for their own behavior that is surely, like Nanny's, so much more grounded) should therefore give the book a chance.
Rating: 
Summary: Julia...5 stars!
Review: Quick and quirky. The words in this book are so well placed that the readers mind is filled with the mind of the Author. I'd say that's a good thing for a diary. The characters are well developed. One of the strongest elements though, is the conversations complete with voice inflection, emotion and unspoken thoughts. I always enjoy a conversation or situation that is so well worded that I can visualize it happening. Many times I sprouted a smile that didn't quit for hours or days afterwards. The story is one of a rich woman who works so hard to maintain an appearance of high society, to the expense of her dignity and decency, that she cannot maintain a relationship with anyone including her 4 year old son. The story works because it is told through the eyes of the nanny who is an accomplished student until she is completely consumed by the demands of her 'superior'. This story is a justification for those lower-middle class folk who take comfort in their blue collar origins. (the thought popped into my head at least.) A book called 'The Nanny Diaries' may not be one that a 32 year old guy would normally pick up, and though I take pride in being versatile reader, I probably would have missed this one. My primary criteria for a good book, believable characters, situations, and dialog, were nicely met. And, being the audio version, having Julia Roberts reading to me on the drive to and from work for a few days was quite enjoyable. I've tried to keep this review of this audio book separated into two parts: the book, and the reader, Ms. Roberts. I'm not sure how well I've done. The pairing was perfect. Julia had good material to work with, but the attitude and masterful characterization she delivers took the story to a higher level. In my opinion, Julia makes whatever she is handed shine. But this reading stepped my appreciation of her up yet another notch and brings her back to the front of my mind as a top performer and this was a top performance.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Easy Read
Review: This was a fast read and fun. I liked reading about the upper crust in New YOrk and because the authors had been nannies before it made it extremely believable.
Rating:
Summary: good, fun read
Review: this is a great, fast read that would appeal to many women. it subtly shows how a child is affected by family circumstances, while the parents are blind to the evidence. it was an enjoyable read and very well written. i hope the authors were compiling "worst-case scenarios" from many different families and that there isn't a family who could be so materialistic and emotionally distant as this one. i am going to pick this book for our book club.
Rating:
Summary: Child abuse!
Review: Though I despised the "Xs"in this book, due to sorrow for "Grayer" and a facsination with what monstrous act the "Xs" would commit next, I could not get this book out of my hands - I read it straight through in an afternoon. What these mothers and fathers do to their childrent is child abuse. There are no other words for it. It was sickening the way the "Xs" treated people and animals in this book. The parents should not be allowed to procreate.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read, but...
Review: I enjoyed this book for the writing and the story. It had a juicy, gossipy tone and the sweet conveyance of a person wronged attaining her comeuppance. But that's the problem I had with it, too. While the authors clearly indicate the story is fiction, and we can believe them as they have no doubt pulled their stories together to create the characters, I can't help but think that a certain Mrs. X is somewhere in the streets of Manhattan wearing out the soles of her Prada shoes while defending and denying. Or at the very least, telling her side of the story. While it's fun to hate the rich, they do have a story. And we don't really get a 3-D picture of Mrs. X. So, while I hate her for the neglect of her child and her seemingly unfair treatment of the hired help, as a business owner (who considers herself both fair and generous) I feel the smallest need to defend her. I am too often faced with bitter employees who never feel as though they are paid or appreciated enough. They end up hating me because they are not me. (And I'm not rich, I take care of my own kids and I don't wear designer shoes!) So, good for you former Nannies-white, American girls who speak French and have expensive college educations and supportive families. Good for you for writing such a fun and popular book. I hope your success is delicious rather than bittersweet. What's next? Submitted by the author of: "I'm Living Your Dream Life."
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but the language was unnecessary
Review: As a mother of a toddler, this book gave me some insight of how the childcare industry is treated. It also gave me some tips on how to cope with my toddler's tantrums.
I couldn't put the book down, I just had to see what was happening. But I was very disappointed by the excessive foul language, especially the F word. There is absolutely no need to put that kind of language in a book; and it certainly should not be used in front of children the way it was in the story.
I was also left hanging in the end because the romance part of the story wasn't played out; but that's just me.
Rating: 
Summary: This book was pretty entertaining
Review: I read this book when I was camping and it was pretty entertaining. I would read another book by these author's if they write again!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I think the premise of this novel lends itself to a much smarter and funnier book than this turned out to be. I found it to be depressing and frustrating when I was expecting a light and funny read. While I don't doubt the depictions of the neglectful parents and their hollow lives, it got tiresome to read about the family piling more and more abuse on the nanny who continued to take it. The ending, although not surprising, was a let down and could have been much more satisfying. This book wasn't written particularly well. The characterizations were inconsistent and didn't ring true. I was pretty disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A guilty pleasure...
Review: When you drive by an accident on the freeway, can you help turning your head to look for bodies? Reading this book gave me the same sort of queasy, guilty pleasure. It's not a piece of great literature, but somehow you just can't turn your head away. I read this book on a rainy afternoon, reclining on the couch and munching cookies and drinking tea. Fun, fun, fun, like a good gossip with a girlfriend, but by no means uplifting or spiritually illuminating. But, hey, sometimes girls just want to have fun! I can't judge if this is an accurate look at the New York rich scene, but it FELT real, and it was a fun read.
| 
