Click to Go Back to search resultsBack to search results
The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Em...
Photo contributed by #M#.This product photo was contributed by the community member attributed here.
Enlarge
 
Product description:Full product description
Two former nannies collaborate on a novel about being a nanny on New York City's Park Avenue, a job complete with overcompetitive parents, hapless children, ridiculous Hallowe...Read more
Most relevant review:
See all reviews
rating
Funny but WAY too long
Read this for my bookclub and again, really had to push my self to get through it. It had it's funny parts which is always nice to space out on but it was way too long. Went i...Read more
rating
Delightful Reading
A hilarious look at life as a Nanny to the rich and fatuous. Authors have perfect pitch, and their every observation rings true. Social satire that's as moving as it is funn...Read more

Product description

Synopsis
Two former nannies collaborate on a novel about being a nanny on New York City's Park Avenue, a job complete with overcompetitive parents, hapless children, ridiculous Halloween costumes, birthday parties from hell, and plenty of funny stories.

Key Details
Author:Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus
Language:English
Publisher:St Martin's Pr
Format:Hardcover
ISBN-10:0312278586
ISBN-13:9780312278588

Size
Length:305 pages
Thickness:1.2 in
Weight:16.8 oz

Publisher's Note
Wanted:
One young woman to take care of four-year-old boy.
Must be cheerful, enthusiastic and selfless-bordering on masochistic
Must relish sixteen-hour shifts with a deliberately nap-deprived pre-schooler
Must love getting thrown up on, literally and figuratively, by everyone in his family
Must enjoy the delicious anticipation of ridiculously erratic pay
Mostly, must love being treated like fungus found growing out of employers Hermes bag.
Those who take it personally need not apply.

Who wouldn't want this job?

Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic studio apartment, Nanny takes a position caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved to ensure that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.

When the Xs marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny ends up involved way beyond the bounds of human decency or good taste. Her tenure with the X family becomes a nearly impossible mission to maintain 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 raise les petites over-privileged-as if grooming them for a Best in Show competition. Written by two former nannies, this alternately comic and poignant satire punctures the glamour of Manhattan's upper class.


A satirical glimpse into Manhattan's upper class follows Nanny, a struggling NYU student who takes a position caring for the son of the rich and glamorous X family, as she learns how to juggle a vast array of tasks so that a Park Avenue wife never has to lift a well-manicured finger.

Drawn from real-life experiences, a bittersweet satire provides an insider's glimpse into Manhattan's upper class by following Nanny, a struggling NYU student who takes a position caring for the son of the rich and glamorous X family, as she soon learns how to juggle a vast array of tasks so that a Park Avenue wife never has to lift a well-manicured finger. 40,000 first printing. Excerpt, Talk magazine.

Industry Reviews
"What they have here are the makings of a nonfiction tell-all book, but the material has been winningly transformed into fiction....The book is saved from self-righteousness not only by the authors' cleverness but also by their compassion."
New York Times - Janet Maslin (03/04/2002)

eBay Product ID: EPID1810560
Portions of this page Copyright 1995 - 2012 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.
eBay users' reviews
The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin (2002, Hardcover)
  • Average rating:
    Based on 8 user reviews
  • Rating distributions

  • 5 stars4
  • 4 stars1
  • 3 stars2
  • 2 stars0
  • 1 star1
Relevance|Newest|Popular

All Reviews

Funny but WAY too long

Created: 22/07/08
Read this for my bookclub and again, really had to push my self to get through it. It had it's funny parts which is always nice to space out on but it was way too long. Went into more detail than I cared to hear about. With all the drama this book had, going on for that long about it was too much. It needed to end sooner than it did. The characters are believable enough, sadly I think there are morons like that in NYC or where ever else people hire nanny's because they don't want to raise their children. As a stay at home mom of 2 children, I found Mrs. X's character to be a disgrace to mom's everywhere. The book definately creates strong emotion in the reader, so if you want to get really mad, read it!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Delightful Reading

Created: 01/06/06
A hilarious look at life as a Nanny to the rich and fatuous. Authors have perfect pitch, and their every observation rings true. Social satire that's as moving as it is funny! Splendid First Novel for these authors!
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Like Reading My Own Diarie

Created: 18/09/07
I am a nanny for a three year old, and I thought this book was great! I can easily relate to many of the stories and experiences! A good read with a bittersweet ending.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Quick read but left me wanting more...

Created: 26/08/07
Read the book over a weekend this summer. I loved the first half of the book, really enjoyed its humor and well structured pace. The plot got more serious towards the middle of the book, but the authors did not do a good job tying the loose ends together at the end. I was quite disappointed at the end and wanted at the rather sudden ending. I will not read a book by the same authors again.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

LOVED this book!!

Created: 02/05/07
This was a really great book. I laughed, cried and rooted for Nanny. For those who have no idea what a Nanny's life can be like this book tells it in a most endearing way. I can't wait for the movie! I highly recommend.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Bubble Opens Help Start of layer
Bubble Help End of layer