The Nanny Diaries

By: Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Based on the real-life experiences and 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 overprivileged raise les petits—as if grooming them for a best-of-show competition. A poignant satire, it punctures the glamour 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 Xes' 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.©2002 Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus; (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Loved the writing, but difficult to read because

my heart ached for Grayer, the poor child. The saddest thing is, there are parents out there like this. Probably lots of them. As a mother of two, I wanted to find the book funny, but mostly it ripped my heart out (e.g. the scene where Grayer runs to show his dad his new red truck and his dad storms out, crying "DAAADYY WAAAAIIITTT..." Ugh, really made me cry. Anyway, the book is very well written, but I can't call it funny.

tragic

Ok, this book was supposed to be funny. I never laughed. I found it terribly sad. I hoped I could find the humor but I just couldn't. How horrible, the boy is 4, desperately loves the parents he never sees. Desperately loves his nannys that his mom keeps firing... i just don't get it. I think this is not for Mom's who raise their own children.

It ended short

This book made me want to take my kids on date and just let them know how much I, as their mother, love them. I hope that there really aren't people like Mr. and Mrs. X in the world. Money and things are very cold companions if that is all you have.I would have given this four stars but there were way too many "f" words in it for me. I also would like to know more of what happened to Nanny and HH

The Nanny Diaries

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Each day, as I arrived at work, I could not wait for the end of the day so I could listen to this story some more! I started listening to audiobooks during Lent to help me overcome my impatience with other drivers ... and it works! Now, I don't care how long it takes me to get somewhere!

In the Nanny Diaries, it is amazing how wealthy people treat those they feel are "beneath" them. It is all too true, I'm sure. This is a very good listen and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Willl read again and again

Let's start by saying I read this book for the first time when I was ten, but that was the abridged version. I loved it and read it many times. The next year I discovered this version and bought it. I was, and probably still am, too young and inexperienced to really relate to this book, but I do find it enjoyable and heart wrenching. At first I didn't want to believe that there were families like the one in this book, but have come to accept it. I think this book does a great job showing what life can really be like for some, and how different from our own. It also makes us appreciate the parents I was given. I think anyone looking for an enjoyable read would like this, as long as you don't mind bursting into tears at several points.