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Liked It “I liked it but it drove me crazy what Nan put up with!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “The story of a college student who is doing nanny work for a wealthy socialite. The book shows her perspective of the hidden of the world spoiled wealthy New York mothers who employ nannies -without whom, I might add, she would be jobless! |
Newest Reviews
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“I liked it but it drove me crazy what Nan put up with!”
Steph wrote this review Thursday, August 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I laughed so hard while reading this book. I thought it was clever and different.”
Katherine K wrote this review Thursday, July 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When I first finished the book I was sad they didn't get into what happened with her and H.H. but then realized he was just a side story and it wasn't important what happened with them, it was a story between her and Grayer.
Becka D wrote this review Sunday, July 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It blows my mind still that people who care for and teach children are treated so terribly. ”“The story of a college student who is doing nanny work for a wealthy socialite. The book shows her perspective of the hidden of the world spoiled wealthy New York mothers who employ nannies -without whom, I might add, she would be jobless!
Mary W wrote this review Thursday, July 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is written by two women but I found parts to be slightly sexist. For example, there were insinuations that the father (high-powered attorney who is rarely home and barely acknowledges his son or wife when he is) is somehow pushed into sleeping with his colleauge because of the wife's attitude, when it would make more sense to reverse that logic. Also the character mentions how the mother ignores the child but the father who does so to a greater extreme is mentioned less scathingly for the same issue.
Tales of the wealthy socialite mothers fighting to get their children into "the best" preschools and ridiculously overbooking playdates, and French lessons for three year olds were pretty amusing.
Not usually what I would go for, but it was good for a quick fluffy read. ”
“Such a great read - I felt like a voyaer!”
Ubah P wrote this review Thursday, June 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I liked the book. It was a quick read from the top of my TBR of Bookcrossing books. It was definitely fluff fiction. I think I've read something else by this pair, but for the life of me can not remember what. I was disappointed because I felt that several of the storylines were left dangling.”
Jeanine B wrote this review Wednesday, June 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“At first glance, this books could be seen as another teen fiction novel. It's got the cover, the overall story and so on that would pin point this description exactly. But it wasn't. I'm not saying it was high fiction or anything, but definitely a story with a good plot and message behind it. It tells the tale of Nan, a young girl trying to pay her was through college by babysitting for the uber rich park avenue moms. This hobby turns into a full time craziness, and we are carried through a world of constant shopping, grand parties and cold empty houses, as well as parents with so many problems that no amount of money could hide. What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't superficial. It wasn't afraid to show you what was really going on and brought up some pretty bad stuff. It showed kids being shunned by their parents and thrusted into the care of random nannies 24/7 while the moms got makeovers. It portrayed a word where problems were stuffed away, or hidden under multiple shopping bags. Often, when we walk on park or fifth or any other place commonly know to be upper class, many people wonder how amazing the life of these people is but this book brought out the reality that money can't buy you happiness. I recommend this to anyone feeling down... this really puts things into perspective!”
ANNALISA R wrote this review Monday, May 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I never saw the movie, but I bet the book is better as always. It was so sad at the end, but so cute throughout.”
Olivia wrote this review Monday, May 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Dedication vs Dignity
Wanda Lynne wrote this review Saturday, January 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall or wondered what really goes on behind your back? Working mothers have to consider out sourcing some of their motherly duties from time to time. Whether it’s a neighbourhood babysitter, staff members in a daycare setting or a live-in nanny, it’s every mother’s nightmare to imagine the worst about their child’s care giver. Parents can succumb to suspicious fears and desperately resort to spying tactics with the use of nanny cams and the like. Trust is a very important issue for parents but we rarely get to see things from the caretakers point of view.
In The Nanny Diaries, former nannies Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus combine their years of childcare experience and writing talents to weave a fictitious, satirical tale about a middle class nanny working for a filthy rich family. Recalling their nanny job interviews, the authors speak through the character suitably named "Nanny." She describes the interaction "much as I imagine a john and a call girl must make the deal, while trying not to kill the mood."
Set in New York, the story is told through the eyes of a childhood development grad student at NYU. Nanny manages to fund her education and a small apartment waiting for sporadic envelopes of cash working for a family known as the X’s. A predictable movie plot, the story unfolds with humorous accounts of struggles and strife between Nanny and the out of touch mother, Mrs. X. Tensions grow as Nanny’s list of duties starts out typically as a part time caretaker for the X’s son Grayer but quickly grows into full time servitude as Mrs. X’s "errand girl". Nanny develops an ongoing battle between her dedication and her dignity. Nanny ends up with chores like looking for Christmas gifts for the X’s service providers and filling their envelopes with bonuses. Financially strapped and looking forward to her own bonus, Nanny is consumed with anger and frustration over Mr. X’s thoughtless gift to her. She opens the box to find earmuffs.
One of the sad parts of the story is the fact that Nanny has to continually try to keep things together for the psychologically scarred son. Desperate for his fathers attention and approval, four year old Grayer wears his father’s tie somewhat like a proverbial hair shirt.
Nanny finds herself torn between being "at the ready" for service and remaining tight- lipped about the family drama unfolding around her. Nanny knows the X’s secrets. One of the contentious issues for Nanny comes up with her discovery that Mr. X is having an affair with a co-worker. Nanny spends time trying to cover up for his indiscretions in futile attempts to protect Mrs. X from the sordid details. In addition, Nanny also ends up dealing with the unconscionable demands from the mistress to stock the fridge for her rendevous with Mr. X. She also warns Nanny that telling Mrs. X would only prevent her from needing to leave her panties out to be found.
The story reads like a movie script with dialogue and scenery set up just ripe for a chick flick. This is where I mention that a movie based on The Nanny Diaries is due to hit theaters this September. I usually prefer to rent movies and watch them in the comfort of my home but in this case I will be waiting in line to see this one played out on the big screen. I’m sure the female characters will be as colorful as the book portrays but hope the males get better attention than developed in the book version. There is a romantic interest here with Nanny’s "Harvard Hottie" but not given much momentum to keep the readers interest going.
Nanny’s charge Grayer begins as a test of her patience but eventually she grows too attached to him. One interesting comment about working as a nanny is stated right at the set out of the book saying "to do the job well is to lose it." The ever present threat to the mother is that the Nanny will do the job too well and eventually replace her in the child’s heart.
Wanda Lynne Young
Dedication vs Dignity was published in the July/August '07 issue of Real Women Magazine in the Reader's Corner column.
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