The Devil Wears Prada

Publisher's Summary

Andrea Sachs, a small-town girl fresh out of college, lands the job "a million girls would die for." Hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the high-profile, fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine, Andrea finds herself in an office that shouts Prada! Armani! Versace! at every turn, a world populated by stylish women and beautiful men. With breathtaking ease, Miranda can turn each and every one of these hip sophisticates into a scared, whimpering child.

The Devil Wears Prada gives a rich and hilarious new meaning to "the boss from Hell." Narrated in Andrea's smart, refreshingly disarming voice, it traces a deep, dark, devilish view of life at the top only hinted at in gossip columns. From sending the latest, not-yet-in-stores Harry Potter to Miranda's children in Paris by private jet, to serving lattes to Miranda at precisely the piping hot temperature she prefers, Andrea is sorely tested each and every day - and often late into the night. She puts up with it all by keeping her eyes on the prize: a recommendation from Miranda that will get Andrea a top job at any magazine of her choosing. As things escalate from the merely unacceptable to the downright outrageous, however, Andrea begins to realize that the job a million girls would die for may just kill her. And even if she survives, she has to decide whether the job is worth the price of her soul.

©2003 Lauren Weisberger (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Miranda's behavior is so insanely over-the-top that it's a gas to see what she'll do next, and to try to guess which incidents were culled from real life." (Amazon.com)
"Weisberger has penned a comic novel that manages to rise to the upper echelons of the chick-lit genre." (Publishers Weekly)

You won't be able to stop the player

We listened to this book on a long car trip, and we almost ran out of gas listening to it because we didn't want to stop! The story goes from one unbelievable action to another, and just when you think you've seen the most selfish act on earth, another comes along. The narration is flawless.

Just make sure you start on a full tank and you have fresh batteries in your audio player! Don't miss this one.

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

Funny and Light

Skip the movie -the book is much better- This is a light book that has some substance to it and is very entertaining. Even if you don't like the main characters at first you may change your mind. narrator's voice is great for the role

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Lots of Fun

This audiobook is full of vivid scenes, witty satire, outrageous escapades, and surprising twists and turns. I found myself really rooting for Andrea, the assistant, as she learned to cope with her wicked boss Miranda and figured out what was important to her. This is a fairly long listen, and some parts seemed a bit overly detailed. However, the story really picks up momentum in the second half, and the denouement is quite exciting and somewhat moving.

While the main thrust of the book is undoubtedly entertainment, I found some substance in Andrea's changing relationship with her job situation and the people closest to her, and the balance that many of us must strike between career, relationships, and personal aspirations.

Overall, I recommend this book heartily to anyone looking for an entertaining read with a protagonist that's easy to identify with.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The Devil Wears Prada

I enjoyed this book immensely! Light and airy, and quite funny. The narrator is the same one from "Memoirs of a Geisha". She adds so much to the reading with the various voice changes.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Outrageous

Great light listening. The story about the boss from hell and selling one's soul to the devil. I enjoyed Weisenberger's storytelling style especially her vivid descriptions. The reader had a pleasant voice and the recording was easy to understand.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Far Better than the Movie

One of my favorite Audio Books. While the movie was entertaining, only the audio book can richly develop the characters, put you inside the minds and fully develop this story. Don't miss the book just because you saw the movie.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Wins the award for most shallow character...

In every other sentence of this book, the main character whines about the unfairness of her boss, trouble with friends, etc. The remaining sentences are designed to try and dazzle readers by mentioning $1000 shoes and the "best restaurants", the "best parties", the "best people", etc. I'm not sure if describing the "glamour" of the fashionistas was meant to try and justify having sold herself out, but I find it impossible to sympathize with a girl that tries to take the easy way to her goals by selling out her dignity, then complains non-stop about it.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Great entertaining book

This book was a funny, but sometimes truthful look at the entry leval positions in to the fashion editorial industry. I was laughing all the way through.

16 of 19 people found this review helpful

way better than the movie

I laughed out loud listening to this. This was hands down one the funnest books i have purchased from audible. The main character had spunk and was very likable. It was great watching her evolve into a "grown-up".

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

If you love the movie, DON'T listen to this

What would have made The Devil Wears Prada better?

I don't know if it was the story or just the narration, but this book was so hard to follow and stay interested. I LOVE the movie version, but the Andi in this story is whiney and unlikeable. I felt the story jumped around a lot and maybe it would have been easier to follow in print, but it'd jump to a completely different time and I'd rewind a bit thinking I must have missed the transition.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful