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17 reviews for:
The Devil Wears Prada Collection: The Devil Wears Prada, Revenge Wears Prada
Lauren Weisberger
3.18 AVERAGE
17 reviews for:
The Devil Wears Prada Collection: The Devil Wears Prada, Revenge Wears Prada
Lauren Weisberger
3.18 AVERAGE
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is actually a re-read because I got an e-galley of the third book in the series. I read this one back when it first came out, but I didn't read the sequel.
I'm not that crazy about the book (although I still love the movie). I remember liking it when it came out, but back then, Andy and I were about the same age. Reading it as a grownup, Andy comes across as completely petulant and obnoxious. Yes, Miranda is a pretty awful boss, but most of it is garden-variety bad. (The Harry Potter thing is unreasonable, and yes, she's mean a lot of the time. But your boss expecting you to answer your phone? That's normal. And while wanting to take longer to run errands and expense things that you really shouldn't may ALSO be normal, actually doing it makes you a crappy employee.
I know this makes it sound like I really didn't like the book; I did. I'm excited to keep going, because I think I'll like Andy more when she grows up (and I already love Emily).
I'm not that crazy about the book (although I still love the movie). I remember liking it when it came out, but back then, Andy and I were about the same age. Reading it as a grownup, Andy comes across as completely petulant and obnoxious. Yes, Miranda is a pretty awful boss, but most of it is garden-variety bad. (The Harry Potter thing is unreasonable, and yes, she's mean a lot of the time. But your boss expecting you to answer your phone? That's normal. And while wanting to take longer to run errands and expense things that you really shouldn't may ALSO be normal, actually doing it makes you a crappy employee.
I know this makes it sound like I really didn't like the book; I did. I'm excited to keep going, because I think I'll like Andy more when she grows up (and I already love Emily).
A decent novel to listen to while folding laundry, washing the dishes, organizing, and driving. A bit outlandish, but entertaining. I have to admit that I liked the movie better.
The Runway Paranoid Turnaround.
Accidentally listened to the abridged version of the audiobook
Accidentally listened to the abridged version of the audiobook
I'm conflicted about how I feel about this one. I liked the story, but I hated some of the characters. There were times when I wanted to lock them all in a room and tell them they couldn't come out until they learned how to play nice, be civil human beings, and find some humanity and compassion.
I literally laughed (or, more accurately, snorted) several times. There was a lot of eye rolling, head shaking, and mumbling "OMG," "You've got to be kidding me," "Not again," "Seriously?" and other such things under my breath as I made my way through this book. But, there were also a few moments of cheering on some of the characters.
Overall, I'm glad I finally read it. I saw the movie years ago and remember enjoying it, but the book sat on my shelf for probably 3 years or more, and I've failed to read more than the first page several times. I think I was just in the mood for something reasonably light and ridiculous, and this fit the bill.
I literally laughed (or, more accurately, snorted) several times. There was a lot of eye rolling, head shaking, and mumbling "OMG," "You've got to be kidding me," "Not again," "Seriously?" and other such things under my breath as I made my way through this book. But, there were also a few moments of cheering on some of the characters.
Overall, I'm glad I finally read it. I saw the movie years ago and remember enjoying it, but the book sat on my shelf for probably 3 years or more, and I've failed to read more than the first page several times. I think I was just in the mood for something reasonably light and ridiculous, and this fit the bill.
I absolutely love the movie adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada. It’s full of all things you look for in a fun movie: likeable characters, a good soundtrack and delightful makeover montages. I must applaud the scriptwriter for turning this mediocre book into a great movie.
The basic premise is very promising: Plain girl interviews for fashion magazine, despite having no interest in fashion, starts off an outcast but after a fabulous, inspirational makeover scene, becomes the star. Along the way to fame, she loses who she used to be and ultimately decides to go back to being plain. Delightful lessons are learnt, relationships are broken and strengthened and everyone is enlightened by the experience.
While this premise is in the book, it does not have any of the charm of the movie. I found Andy very detached from her family, friends and boyfriend – even before the fourteen hour work days get in the way. She’s also highly strung and very self absorbed. So where I found the movie Andy very likeable and identifiable, the book Andy was a real chore. Most depressingly to me was the lack of a delightful makeover montage in the book.
I will forever love the movie and consider the book the first draft, but there are several reasons why, for me, the movie was a clear improvement:
Movie Nigel, played by the awesome Stanley Tucci, is the perfect mentor for Andy. He calls her on all her bullshit, like when Andy complains about Miranda being tough on her when Andy knows she’s not doing her best work.
Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Hmm? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people. You think this is just a magazine, hmm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for... oh, I don't know... let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart.
Movie Nigel was a really important contrast to Miranda. He loves his job, he’s great at his job, but he’s not as crazy as she is. He is an excellent mentor to Andy and he’s also my favourite character.
Book Nigel was a very two dimensional guest appearance character who talks in capital letters.
Andy’s movie boyfriend, Nate, is also a recent college graduate working a crappy job. He’s a chef, who spends his days working long hours doing menial tasks like making sauces and chopping onions. This is really important, as it highlights the difference between how Nate handles the long hours in a menial job to how Andy handles her work. Has a lot more personality than his book counterpart, and the relationship between Andy and Nate is less detached in the movie. Interestingly, his name is changed from Alex to Nate for the movie, presumably to make him seem more boy next doorish.
Book Nate, otherwise known as Alex, works very hard in a much more rewarding job as a teacher. He becomes impatient with Andy’s workload a lot earlier than Movie Nate and is a lot more judgemental of the decisions she makes. I liked Book Nate a lot, he seemed so much more mature and rational than Andy and I felt a lot of sympathy for his experiences. He also seemed doomed from the beginning since the best Andy could describe him was to say he was sweet and of good height. Her views of him sounded more like a check list for a dream boyfriend list and had very little to do with how she actually felt about him.
Their relationship in the movie starts out a lot more affectionately and maintains their mutual affection for a lot longer than the book. There is also clearly hope for reconciliation in the movie, while in the book it is very clear that they are over.
Movie Miranda, played by the very talented Meryl Streep, is a controlling, manipulative slightly sadistic slave driver. But she’s also very good at her job and building the aura needed on someone in her role. Is she tough? Of course, but she also has to be in order to sell magazines. No one would follow her or believe her authority on fashion if she wasn’t tough. The detailed analysis of everything, which does border on extreme, is a necessity for the kind of competitive environment she works in.
Runway wouldn’t be Runway - hell, it wouldn’t be much of anything at all – without Miranda Priestly. I knew it and so did everyone else. What it hadn’t yet done was convince me that any of this gave her a right to treat people the way she did.
That being said, they have worked a lot more humanity into the script than existed in the book. Meryl Streep injects a lot more personality into Miranda through small smiles, intense scowls and that perfectly devoid of expression deadpan. The breakdown of Miranda in Paris where she admits to her impending divorce acts as the perfect wake up call for Andy to see how her own life is now mirroring Miranda’s.
Book Miranda is nowhere near as nuanced and comes across as a lot more ridiculous and extravagant. There are plenty of moments where Miranda is clearly displaying a slightly more grown up version of a temper tantrum and is often made to look petty by her overreactions to problems. However I feel that Book Miranda had a right to be hard on Book Andy, who was not a dedicated worker. While in the movie, Andy works hard and manages to impress Miranda enough to be taken to Paris instead, Book Andy puts in minimal effort and very obviously gives Miranda attitude.
Obviously Movie Andy is going to be the star of the show here, but I was really surprised to see how different Movie Andy and Book Andy are. Surely, I thought, while the supporting characters will be changed to suit the new media, the main character will largely remain unchanged. However, where Movie Andy is naive, a hard worker and very driven, Book Andy begins the book in a very cynical state of mind, talks back to Miranda and seems very detached from her partner, best friend and family.
While Movie Andy is frantically running around town trying to juggle trays full of searing hot coffee, several bags full of designer clothes and children’s camp equipment, Book Andy is leisurely smoking cigarettes on coffee runs while on the phone to her boyfriend, constantly waiting for someone to email her on hotmail, wiping oily hands on Miranda’s pile of dry cleaning and “generously” donating company money to homeless people, taxi drivers and anyone else she can give money to. But don’t worry folks, this is because Runway doesn’t keep a tighter lid on their coffers, so really she’s teaching them a lesson about financial responsibility. She’ll also very generously take her friend out for a night on the town using a company car. So when Miranda is quite harsh and untrusting with her, I find it to be completely justified.
Ahn-dre-ah, I have to say, I had my doubts about you from the start. Clearly, you know nothing about fashion and more than that, you don’t seem to care. And don’t think I’ve failed to notice all the rich and varied ways you convey to me your displeasure when I ask you to do something you’d rather not. Your comptenency in the job has been adequate, but your attitude has been substandard at best.
Both the novel and the movie have a satisfying ending. In the book, Andy realises that she is abandoning her best friend, whose alcoholism resulted in a car accident, in order to run errands for Miranda, who continues to belittle her.
I do prefer the movie ending where Andy realises exactly how her sacrifices will lead her exactly where Miranda is now – soon to be divorced and without anyone who truly cares for her, merely people who respect or fear her. The slow realisation that Andy has put herself above all others to get ahead, and just how quickly and easily she succumbed to Miranda’s way of life, and seeing exactly where her choices will lead her, was more enjoyable to me than the standoff between Andy and Miranda in the book.
The basic premise is very promising: Plain girl interviews for fashion magazine, despite having no interest in fashion, starts off an outcast but after a fabulous, inspirational makeover scene, becomes the star. Along the way to fame, she loses who she used to be and ultimately decides to go back to being plain. Delightful lessons are learnt, relationships are broken and strengthened and everyone is enlightened by the experience.
While this premise is in the book, it does not have any of the charm of the movie. I found Andy very detached from her family, friends and boyfriend – even before the fourteen hour work days get in the way. She’s also highly strung and very self absorbed. So where I found the movie Andy very likeable and identifiable, the book Andy was a real chore. Most depressingly to me was the lack of a delightful makeover montage in the book.
I will forever love the movie and consider the book the first draft, but there are several reasons why, for me, the movie was a clear improvement:
Movie Nigel, played by the awesome Stanley Tucci, is the perfect mentor for Andy. He calls her on all her bullshit, like when Andy complains about Miranda being tough on her when Andy knows she’s not doing her best work.
Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Hmm? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people. You think this is just a magazine, hmm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for... oh, I don't know... let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart.
Movie Nigel was a really important contrast to Miranda. He loves his job, he’s great at his job, but he’s not as crazy as she is. He is an excellent mentor to Andy and he’s also my favourite character.
Book Nigel was a very two dimensional guest appearance character who talks in capital letters.
Andy’s movie boyfriend, Nate, is also a recent college graduate working a crappy job. He’s a chef, who spends his days working long hours doing menial tasks like making sauces and chopping onions. This is really important, as it highlights the difference between how Nate handles the long hours in a menial job to how Andy handles her work. Has a lot more personality than his book counterpart, and the relationship between Andy and Nate is less detached in the movie. Interestingly, his name is changed from Alex to Nate for the movie, presumably to make him seem more boy next doorish.
Book Nate, otherwise known as Alex, works very hard in a much more rewarding job as a teacher. He becomes impatient with Andy’s workload a lot earlier than Movie Nate and is a lot more judgemental of the decisions she makes. I liked Book Nate a lot, he seemed so much more mature and rational than Andy and I felt a lot of sympathy for his experiences. He also seemed doomed from the beginning since the best Andy could describe him was to say he was sweet and of good height. Her views of him sounded more like a check list for a dream boyfriend list and had very little to do with how she actually felt about him.
Their relationship in the movie starts out a lot more affectionately and maintains their mutual affection for a lot longer than the book. There is also clearly hope for reconciliation in the movie, while in the book it is very clear that they are over.
Movie Miranda, played by the very talented Meryl Streep, is a controlling, manipulative slightly sadistic slave driver. But she’s also very good at her job and building the aura needed on someone in her role. Is she tough? Of course, but she also has to be in order to sell magazines. No one would follow her or believe her authority on fashion if she wasn’t tough. The detailed analysis of everything, which does border on extreme, is a necessity for the kind of competitive environment she works in.
Runway wouldn’t be Runway - hell, it wouldn’t be much of anything at all – without Miranda Priestly. I knew it and so did everyone else. What it hadn’t yet done was convince me that any of this gave her a right to treat people the way she did.
That being said, they have worked a lot more humanity into the script than existed in the book. Meryl Streep injects a lot more personality into Miranda through small smiles, intense scowls and that perfectly devoid of expression deadpan. The breakdown of Miranda in Paris where she admits to her impending divorce acts as the perfect wake up call for Andy to see how her own life is now mirroring Miranda’s.
Book Miranda is nowhere near as nuanced and comes across as a lot more ridiculous and extravagant. There are plenty of moments where Miranda is clearly displaying a slightly more grown up version of a temper tantrum and is often made to look petty by her overreactions to problems. However I feel that Book Miranda had a right to be hard on Book Andy, who was not a dedicated worker. While in the movie, Andy works hard and manages to impress Miranda enough to be taken to Paris instead, Book Andy puts in minimal effort and very obviously gives Miranda attitude.
Obviously Movie Andy is going to be the star of the show here, but I was really surprised to see how different Movie Andy and Book Andy are. Surely, I thought, while the supporting characters will be changed to suit the new media, the main character will largely remain unchanged. However, where Movie Andy is naive, a hard worker and very driven, Book Andy begins the book in a very cynical state of mind, talks back to Miranda and seems very detached from her partner, best friend and family.
While Movie Andy is frantically running around town trying to juggle trays full of searing hot coffee, several bags full of designer clothes and children’s camp equipment, Book Andy is leisurely smoking cigarettes on coffee runs while on the phone to her boyfriend, constantly waiting for someone to email her on hotmail, wiping oily hands on Miranda’s pile of dry cleaning and “generously” donating company money to homeless people, taxi drivers and anyone else she can give money to. But don’t worry folks, this is because Runway doesn’t keep a tighter lid on their coffers, so really she’s teaching them a lesson about financial responsibility. She’ll also very generously take her friend out for a night on the town using a company car. So when Miranda is quite harsh and untrusting with her, I find it to be completely justified.
Ahn-dre-ah, I have to say, I had my doubts about you from the start. Clearly, you know nothing about fashion and more than that, you don’t seem to care. And don’t think I’ve failed to notice all the rich and varied ways you convey to me your displeasure when I ask you to do something you’d rather not. Your comptenency in the job has been adequate, but your attitude has been substandard at best.
Both the novel and the movie have a satisfying ending. In the book, Andy realises that she is abandoning her best friend, whose alcoholism resulted in a car accident, in order to run errands for Miranda, who continues to belittle her.
I do prefer the movie ending where Andy realises exactly how her sacrifices will lead her exactly where Miranda is now – soon to be divorced and without anyone who truly cares for her, merely people who respect or fear her. The slow realisation that Andy has put herself above all others to get ahead, and just how quickly and easily she succumbed to Miranda’s way of life, and seeing exactly where her choices will lead her, was more enjoyable to me than the standoff between Andy and Miranda in the book.