The Nanny Diaries
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| Length: | 4 hours, 40 minutes | ||||||||||
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Suggested Titles
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A Million Little Pieces
by James Frey
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A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson
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Overview
Based on the real-life experiences, the inside story on the real lives of the rich and privileged from the women who know all the secrets - the nannies.
THE NANNY DIARIES deftly skewers the manner in which America's over-privileged raises les petites - as if grooming them for a Best of Show competition. A poignant satire, it punctures the glamor of Manhattan's upper class to tackle head-on the truer state of backstairs Park Avenue.
Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic apartment, Nanny takes a job caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved in ensuring that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.
When the X's marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny's nearly impossible mission becomes maintaining the mental health of their four-year-old, her own integrity, and most importantly, her sense of humor. Over nine tense months Mrs X and Nanny perform the age old dance of decorum and power as they test the limits of modern-day servitude.
THE NANNY DIARIES deftly skewers the manner in which America's over-privileged raises les petites - as if grooming them for a Best of Show competition. A poignant satire, it punctures the glamor of Manhattan's upper class to tackle head-on the truer state of backstairs Park Avenue.
Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic apartment, Nanny takes a job caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved in ensuring that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.
When the X's marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny's nearly impossible mission becomes maintaining the mental health of their four-year-old, her own integrity, and most importantly, her sense of humor. Over nine tense months Mrs X and Nanny perform the age old dance of decorum and power as they test the limits of modern-day servitude.
Reviews (20)
A good chick flick (disc)!
Written by Flakdog from Redlands, CA on July 12th, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
This was enjoyable but sad too; that this could be (probably is) the way of some nanny lives. Narration was great. I just wanted to say to Nanny, "Punch her a good one", at times!
Kept my interest
Written by Kelly Abad on October 18th, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
I really enjoyed this book! Julia Roberts was the reader and kept my interest. She used some voices that I wouldn't have placed with the character (if I had read the book myself) but it was overall a great book. I listen to audiobooks during my commute to work and I brought this one to my office to keep listening.
Nanny Diaries
Written by Christin Wasiloski on July 20th, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and intend on purchasing the unabridged version to add to my library. The ending’s a little rough for me, since it doesn’t tie up all the loose ends, though it’s totally realistic. It’s got the same feel as the Devil Wears Prada, but we learn little about the Nanny’s personal life. It was quite enjoyable.
The Nanny Diaries
Written by Arlene on April 23rd, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
This was a very bittersweet book. Julia Roberts did a wonderful job of reading it. Highly recommended.
Driveway Moments
Written by Mackenzie Thomas from San Antonio, TX on August 23rd, 2006
- Book Rating: 5/5
I loved this book! I found myself laughing out loud many times during this book. Very well read by Julia Roberts. I ended up having many "driveway moments" where I just sat in the driveway once home just to listen to the next event!
Pretty Interesting
Written by dlct on April 6th, 2006
- Book Rating: 3/5
Fast-paced and fun, the tales of Nanny (annoying name) make one incredulous at the stupidity, short-sightedness, and selfishness of the wealthy. Several times I expected this girl to grow a spine and quit. The fact that she put up with so much was irritating and perhaps a bit beyond belief. No one needs tuition THAT badly! The tale is well-written, populated with good, solid, believable characters and the relationship between Nanny and her little charge is sweet and touching. There's a lot of unbelieveable situations and shopping, but then I don't live in New York City and no one I know is quite so label-conscious and snooty. The narrator's reading adds to this story. Altogether not too bad.
not what I expected
Written by KD on December 24th, 2005
- Book Rating: 3/5
I had always heard that this book was brilliant and funny. I didn't find it very funny, I found it mostly sad and pathetic. I did enjoy the story overall, there were some moments that were excellent, , and Julia Roberts did a nice job reading it. But it's not worth going out of your way to listen to.
Nanny Diaries
Written by Angela Jones from Robeline, LA on November 25th, 2005
- Book Rating: 5/5
This was an okay book to listen too it keeps your interest. It was just a story about a nanny and the relationship she had with a particular client. I fell in love with the child and hated the uppity parents. It makes you realize what is important in life.
Nanny Diaries
Written by Anonymous on August 11th, 2005
- Book Rating: 1/5
This is probably a good book in the written form, but is very boring to listen to. Julia Roberts narrates it and her voice is nice to hear, but that is the only thing I liked. I didn't even finish the story because it was so dull and lacked any kind of plot to keep you interested.
A sad commentary
Written by didis on June 6th, 2005
- Book Rating: 3/5
I thought this was going to be a comedy, but it was a crying shame. Listen to this only if you think that children are expendible. The book was well written and Julie Roberts did a great job of narrating, but I just wanted it to end.