Helpful Score: 7
I enjoyed this much more than Weisberger's first book - The Devil Wears Prada. I would say that both books are about young women in New York City with a new job and having that job take over their lives, but this one seemed better written and less repetitious to me. Romance seems like a bigger focus in this book as well, in DWP it her relationship seems to be touched on verrry briefly. Lots of pop culture and New York City references. I think this character was better fleshed out than in the first book: more about her family and her personality and hobbies.
Helpful Score: 5
Very similar to "The Devil Wears Prada", although the story has a better role for "the guy who isn't good for her" and a reasonably appealing "guy she really wants".
Story is basically university-educated Jewish girl from Upstate New York moves to New York City, has a boring job she hates and quits, takes a job as a party planner because her flamboyantly gay celebrity uncle tells her to, and gets caught up in a job that takes over her life, causing rifts with her family and best friend (sound familiar?).
I found it highly predictable, and had worked out all the "surprise" plot twists long before they were revealed, and I found the protagonist, Bette, to be easily manipulated, naive, and fairly tiresome.
The structure of the book is, admittedly, solid, with well-written descriptive prose that very much sets the scene and mood. It's unfortunate that the characters are all fairly two-dimensional and the plot "twists" so predictable.
Story is basically university-educated Jewish girl from Upstate New York moves to New York City, has a boring job she hates and quits, takes a job as a party planner because her flamboyantly gay celebrity uncle tells her to, and gets caught up in a job that takes over her life, causing rifts with her family and best friend (sound familiar?).
I found it highly predictable, and had worked out all the "surprise" plot twists long before they were revealed, and I found the protagonist, Bette, to be easily manipulated, naive, and fairly tiresome.
The structure of the book is, admittedly, solid, with well-written descriptive prose that very much sets the scene and mood. It's unfortunate that the characters are all fairly two-dimensional and the plot "twists" so predictable.
Helpful Score: 4
This is the author that wrote The Devil Wore Prada. Even though I found the book predictable it is very entertaining. It is easy to read. This book would be great for someone who wanted a light entertaining book without a lot of depth to it. I liked it.
Helpful Score: 3
Lauren Weisberger really hit the big time with her first novel, The Devil Wears Prada, and was most likely encouraged to milk the rebound from Prada with a similar type of novel. In fact, I'm wondering if she can write anything that's really different at this point in time, if ever.
What I find irritating about her books is that the main character is always a spoiled, whiny child who manages to get a job that other people would be infinitely grateful to have - the perks are amazing and the job provides opportunities for tremendous career growth. The pay isn't all that great and the hours are long - but hey, I'd rather have a job like this than work the same amount of time at Burger King and Walmart. But do Weisberger's characters see it this way? No, they'd rather whine about the long hours, "hard work," cattiness and difficult demands than count their obvious blessings. Further, they do this with a sense of righteousness - as if earning a great deal of money working a straight 40 hour week with honest, cooperative co-workers immediately out of college is something they are entitled to have.
In Prada, Weisberger must have been told that her characters were a bit too one-dimensional, because this book is stuffed with characters who have an eccentricity. Only one per character, and their quirkiness seems pulled out of a book of stereotypes.
However, all this said, it was still a fun read. Why? Because a.) it gives you an insight into a world that most of us will never be a part of, with luxurious opportunities and gifts raining from heaven and b.) it allows US to feel self-righteous as we smugly imagine what WE would do if given the same opportunity!
So I would not pass up this book on its shortcomings, because even though it's advantages seem less influential, they make the reading worthwhile.
If you enjoyed Prada on ANY level, this book is definitely for you.
What I find irritating about her books is that the main character is always a spoiled, whiny child who manages to get a job that other people would be infinitely grateful to have - the perks are amazing and the job provides opportunities for tremendous career growth. The pay isn't all that great and the hours are long - but hey, I'd rather have a job like this than work the same amount of time at Burger King and Walmart. But do Weisberger's characters see it this way? No, they'd rather whine about the long hours, "hard work," cattiness and difficult demands than count their obvious blessings. Further, they do this with a sense of righteousness - as if earning a great deal of money working a straight 40 hour week with honest, cooperative co-workers immediately out of college is something they are entitled to have.
In Prada, Weisberger must have been told that her characters were a bit too one-dimensional, because this book is stuffed with characters who have an eccentricity. Only one per character, and their quirkiness seems pulled out of a book of stereotypes.
However, all this said, it was still a fun read. Why? Because a.) it gives you an insight into a world that most of us will never be a part of, with luxurious opportunities and gifts raining from heaven and b.) it allows US to feel self-righteous as we smugly imagine what WE would do if given the same opportunity!
So I would not pass up this book on its shortcomings, because even though it's advantages seem less influential, they make the reading worthwhile.
If you enjoyed Prada on ANY level, this book is definitely for you.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved LOVED this book! It was funny, romantic, heartwrenching at times... I really felt for the characters.
