The Nanny Diaries: A Novel

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It's a hit!

This was my second time reading this book, which means I liked it the first time. It’s a story about a nanny in New York. The reviews say it is fun... (show more)

This was my second time reading this book, which means I liked it the first time. It’s a story about a nanny in New York. The reviews say it is funny. I think it is mostly really sad. To see the way this particular higher class family operates, where the children don’t become close to the parents but to their nannies, and then the nannies are fired at the whim of the parents – I’ll bet these things really happen, and it just makes me sad. I’d say it’s worth reading. If you’ve heard about it and you’ve always wanted to read it, you won’t be disappointed. There is some language and a little sex, but nothing graphic. I think I would read this one again. It is well written and interesting, and it makes me think. (show less)

 

 

by Amber Mull

No, it's a flop!

Overall, I should have liked this book. The principle character has depth, the writing is good for chick lit, the plot is interesting. But the wr... (show more)

Overall, I should have liked this book. The principle character has depth, the writing is good for chick lit, the plot is interesting. But the writer's made one crucial mistake: they made their principle character unlikable. I hated the X family but I hated Nanny even more because she never, not once, stood up for herself.

She never said, "Enough is enough," "This is not in my job description," or "You suck as parents." She took whatever the X family threw at her and was underpaid doing it. For a while I understood her and was happy to follow along into this bizarre world but even I got sick of it. I'm not a confrontational person but even I would have screamed at Mrs. X a long time after Nanny was still being abused.

I've tried to go back and read it but after a certain point I just want to hurl it at a wall. I can't read it all the way through and enjoy it. It leaves a bad aftertaste that I just don't want to waste the time dealing with it. (show less)

 

 

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  I wasn't expecting much from this book, but it still disappointed. I can save you the time of reading the book in one sentence: A hard-working nanny works for a snobby, rich New York woman. You can fill in the entire rest of the story right now with that summary.

  Every character was actually a caricature. The nanny was actually named Nanny. She had no single character flaw, except possibly for loving her charge too much, allowing her to be too selfless. The boss had no interesting quirks ... (show more)

  I wasn't expecting much from this book, but it still disappointed. I can save you the time of reading the book in one sentence: A hard-working nanny works for a snobby, rich New York woman. You can fill in the entire rest of the story right now with that summary.

  Every character was actually a caricature. The nanny was actually named Nanny. She had no single character flaw, except possibly for loving her charge too much, allowing her to be too selfless. The boss had no interesting quirks or twists, she was just a cardboard cutout of a self-centered and egotistical rich woman.

  Best of all, I already anticipated the ending from within the first 10 pages.

  I was hoping for a light and mildly entertaining chick-lit book, but this was an unimaginative snooze-fest. I think it's really sad that the authors of this tripe received a movie deal, when far better books continue to be ignored. (show less)

   

  by Sandra Grauschopf on Mar 08, 2009 at 02:02AM

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  The book is awful. I can't believe it took 2 people and an editor to make something so awful.

  My main beef with the book is that it's entirely predictable. Hapless, down-trodden Nanny lacking any sort of self-esteem gets run over and railroaded approximately 1000 times.

  Cue 4 year old boy, nasty mother, cheating father and neglectful parenting and that's what you've got.

  Oh, and Nanny's been unlucky in love.

  Entirely predictable and boring. I had to put the book down and ask myself why ... (show more)

  The book is awful. I can't believe it took 2 people and an editor to make something so awful.

  My main beef with the book is that it's entirely predictable. Hapless, down-trodden Nanny lacking any sort of self-esteem gets run over and railroaded approximately 1000 times.

  Cue 4 year old boy, nasty mother, cheating father and neglectful parenting and that's what you've got.

  Oh, and Nanny's been unlucky in love.

  Entirely predictable and boring. I had to put the book down and ask myself why I was still reading it.

  The only reason? Grayer. You feel so bad for the kid knowing he's going to end up just like the bastard of a father he has. It's a complete and vicious cycle. But you love him and you want him to stop hurting inside. Which won't happen because Nanny doesn't even get to say goodbye.

  I know parents like this exist in droves but there were certain parts
  of the book that made me dislike it. How could someone idly allow the parents to fuck up a kid like this? How sad is it that CPS is called on poor families but not the rich ones? If a mother or father doesn't touch their own child for days at a time, that's neglect.

  You can tell the authors really loved their charges, otherwise they wouldn't have written the book. The book isn't about shitty employers and the horrid things they do. The book is about the power of live love in trying circumstances. Nanny gives Grayer the emotional and tangible love he so desperately needs and he, in turn, teachers her to believe in the person she sees in the mirror each day.

  If anything, it's a modern love story albeit a non-traditional one. Love comes in all shapes and sizes and when you love a child you are better for it. The pain and heart-felt love from the authors is easy to feel, as is the terrible regret and sadness sin losing these kids. I imagine they're better nannies than writers and I'm thankful for that. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Dec 05, 2009 at 08:49AM

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