Rating: 
Summary: Been there, done that
Review: The title is interesting. The rest of the book is obnoxious. New York lush spends her days taking care of rich people's children while trying to bed the downstairs neighbor. 'Nanny' is all about judging other peoples lives while selling your own for hard currency and the occasional Prada reject. The authors take pains to let their audience know they're no ordinary third world nanny (she speaks FRENCH and is white!) and spends the entire novel making snide comments about her employers and their children. "'Can I have a cookie now?' Grayer sits up, ready to be rewarded for his efforts". Just like a dog. Get it? Grayer is the child she is supposedly hired to take care of. The novel is one long diatribe against the egocentric and shallow rich folks she chooses to work for. There is even a scene were Nanny is mistaken for a rich parent, just to drive home the point that we're all equal as long as we speak French and are white. Read the Bonfire of the Vanities and if there is still a doubt in your mind as to how rich people live, then read one of the hundreds of other books that have been written about the NY super rich. Then read the National Enquirer and you don't even have to bother with this book. I find it amusing that the author can look down her nose at her employers while sneaking drinks, stumbling from bar to bar around NY, hot after the guy downstairs who although he is rich, meets her criteria because he has long hair and disgusting furniture in his apartment. She gives us the startling insight that servants often know more about their employer's lives than their employers. Wow. See every British film ever made if you need any clarification on this one. The only satire going on in this piece of trash is the unintended observation that if you sell your soul for some hard cash and perks, you can always feel better by writing an expose. I did enjoy reading a novel that never caused me to reach for my dictionary; this is strictly eighth grade writing class material. Mercifully, this will probably be the last novel by this dynamic duo, as they've obviously plumbed the depths of their writing talent. Then again, maybe there is room for a Nanny Diaries Deux. God forbid.
Rating: 
Summary: A peek at the other side.....
Review: This was a fun & entertaining novel. It was also an enlightening peek into how the other half lives, both the nannies and the families they work for. The authors were former nannies themselves, so you'd have to think that they draw from some personal experiences...if so, this book was the perfect way to tell the tale and get some things off their chest in the process. There is more depth to the nannies and the families they work for than you might think...this book is a great and fun exploration of it all.
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: This book is one of my favorites. I've had several friends nanny in New York, and I know this story nails it. It is so entertaining, and you will get wrapped up in the story as if it is happening to you. I definetly recommend this book to anyone who can relate to the world of a nanny, or who is just looking for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Good Story Well Worth Reading
Review: The Nanny Diaries as a story is very good, similar and on par with THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, MY FRACTURED LIFE, THE LOVELY BONES, and to a certain extent A PERFECT DAY. There was one factor that just bothered me though - the use of the name Mr. X and Mrs. X for the employing family and the literal name of Nanny for the young lady who has the job of being a nanny. The intent was probably to shine a light on how a nanny feels she is nothing more then her title in the eyes of her employers and how the employers are nothing more than the nonexistant parents of the child (who does get a name). However, the intention did not succeed. Instead it kind of served as a constant reminder there was a flaw (although a small flaw) with the style. Again: good story, one small flaw - but well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: I liked this book but I did find it sad and depressing. Nanny put up with alot of stress and took on more responsibility then she should oh had to. The family that she worked for definitly was abnormal. The mother, Mrs. X, didn't spend any time with her son, Grover, and the father, Mr. X, was never home. Mrs. X thought that they were a happy family and that this was the norm, meanwhile Mr. X was cheating on Mrs. X with Ms. Chicago. As their marriage fell apart, so did Nanny's job. My favorite part in the book was the end when Nanny went back to the house and left a message for the X's. After reading the book I would say that it was good but not one of the best books that I have read. I felt bad most of the time for Nanny that she was stuck in the middle of all of this drama. I would give this book 4 stars because although it was not the best book I've read it was still good and very funny.
Rating:
Summary: if you're looking for a fun satisfying read
Review: this book is by no means a masterpiece or writing that will leave a legacy. However, it does provide an enjoyable release from your everyday life. I found myself eager to come home at the end of the day and read more about the characters that I too had come to care about.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: This was a very well written story with a plot that left a bit to be desired. I really found myself getting frustrated with the X's characters and wondering how anyone would take the abuse for as long as Nan had. The book left a big question mark on several topics. The humor of the story is beyond me. This did not evoke any laughs or smiles out of me.
Rating:
Summary: Sad but True...
Review: Coming from a one-time NYC babysitter/ Columbia U. student, I must admit that some parents were kind of loopy. Some of the stories were a bit extreme but not out of the ball park. I thought the book was well written, witty and amusing. It is like brain candy... fun, indulgent and probably not very (intellectually) good for you. Yes, the main character was a bit shallow and did a lot of wallowing for money but remember she was young and a student on a college budget, not a easy position to be reasonable and logical.
Rating:
Summary: Nanny Diaries
Review: There's no doubt about it, this book has a great sense of humor, but after so much abuse, why does the nanny stay? Yes, the rich are awful. Anybody who has ever served them knows this. But at a certain point, you walk away. If it were not for the humor, this would have been a painful bore.
Rating: 
Summary: Too whiny
Review: I started out enjoying the book, but Nan was too whiny for me and had NO BACKBONE. It shows that some people can treat others as slaves and they do nothing about it.
In the long run the child lost.
I wonder how'll he'll function as an adult.
|
