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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
The narrator is so unlikable for no particular reason, and from the reviews I don't think she's gonna get better.
Blech. The two things I like about this book are the movie that came from it and the line on the second to last page about Miranda Priestly knocking Andrea out with a blow dart.
This wasn’t good - the narrator’s ‘transformation’ was minimal and contrived and the writing was uninspired. I expected something with more zing given the movie but it was just milquetoast snark with a side of judgmental cringe. I suffered second hand embarrassment the whole time because Lauren Weisberger, *ahem* Andrea, goes on and on about how she is a writer and then the writing is soooo bad.
Andrea is the worst and so is this book.
This wasn’t good - the narrator’s ‘transformation’ was minimal and contrived and the writing was uninspired. I expected something with more zing given the movie but it was just milquetoast snark with a side of judgmental cringe. I suffered second hand embarrassment the whole time because Lauren Weisberger, *ahem* Andrea, goes on and on about how she is a writer and then the writing is soooo bad.
Andrea is the worst and so is this book.
This is one instance where the movie is significantly better.
Holy cheese-fucking breadsticks this was an unpleasant reading experience.
I mean look, objectively speaking, this was not AS poorly written and plotted as some of the other 1-star books on my list (*cough*Twilight*cough*), and realistically, this was never a book I was going to love (I am not interested in fashion, magazines, mind-numbingly dull protagonists, or "chick-lit" as a genre). So take my rating and review with a grain of salt. But FUCK I hated this book.
I picked this up because I was on the bus (so more like "downloaded onto my kindle," but whatever) and wanted something quick and mindless that wouldn't distract me from exams. "Chick-lit" is a pretty fraught term, but just because a book is written by women, about women, for women doesn't make it light-weight or trash. Unfortunately, this is both.
One chapter in and I'm already screaming at the narrator - this is the THIRD TIME you've snapped the heel of $700 shoes while driving?! Fucking buy cheaper shoes, drive in cheaper shoes, or take your damn shoes off while driving WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. So, brainless, sure, but quick? Not when I have 40+ kindle notes venting about how irritating EVERYTHING in this book is. So why not put it down? Well, I paid $1.99 for it. I started it. And since I started it, I have to finish it.
Listen. For anyone feeling despair over the shape of the publishing industry after Twilight and Shades of Shit, let it be known that garbage writing was bestselling long before. At the very least, it's not a new development.
I hate so much about the things this book chooses to be. Because all her novels are published with pleasingly similar covers, and if I'd loved this book, I could have HAD THEM ALLLLLLLLLLL.
We have the unintentional casual racism of Twilight; every cab driver, newsagent, and concierge has a deliberately ethnic name and an over-the-top accent. She only has one gay character and has copied and pasted him 20 times to populate the entire magazine staff, and their only role is to shout about how fabulous everything is. We have both books' unbearable rich, arrogant, controlling, douchecanoe of a potential love interest in the form of one CHRISTIAN Collinsworth, who addresses Andrea as "darling" and "little Andy," and repeatedly tells her not to worry her "pretty little head" about things, kisses and feels her up without her permission, uses his status to manipulate her into being in the same places as he is, and I just can't. I can not. This in addition to the concierge who grants and denies entry into her PLACE OF WORK based on whether or not she SINGS AND DANCES FOR HIM, and I truly do not understand what it is about this book that people enjoy.
On top of the shitty main character, the listless plot, the endless descriptions of clothes and accessories by a character who ostensibly "doesn't care about that sort of thing," ethnic stereotypes, gay stereotypes, and the horrific sexism, the editing of this bestselling, several-years-old book is unforgivably sloppy. You can blame the author, who often seems to forget what's she's written two paragraphs ago (see below for examples). But you can also blame the fact that someone was paid to spot errors like these, and they did not do their job. I'm seeing this in SO many books lately, and I just do not understand it at all.
Anyway, the examples:
About her friend Lily:
And one paragraph later, for those with frontal lobe damage:
But why wait for the next paragraph when you can do things like this:
There are things like
After describing, on the previous page, Priestly mimicking Andy with a "hyena-like howl" after which people turn to stare. How is this not making a bloody scene?
There's also a general feeling of carelessness. Nobody's emotions flow or make any contiguous sense from paragraph to paragraph.
And there's this:
I believe she's referring to the curl of hair that totes adorably falls in his face before every line of dialogue so he can sexily push it away. Or possibly, his hooded lids really do have a curl, and the author has managed to inject something original into this inane and cliche-ridden waste of electronic space.
I laughed twice in over 300 pages. Both times were in response to some good, old-fashioned Jewish mothering (sure, it's a stereotype, but it's one I can relate to), and maybe I'd read Lauren Weisberger again if she wrote a book about that, but damn.
And then the end. How unsatisfying was that?
I have now spent way, way more time thinking about this book than it deserves, so, I'm done.
That's all.
I mean look, objectively speaking, this was not AS poorly written and plotted as some of the other 1-star books on my list (*cough*Twilight*cough*), and realistically, this was never a book I was going to love (I am not interested in fashion, magazines, mind-numbingly dull protagonists, or "chick-lit" as a genre). So take my rating and review with a grain of salt. But FUCK I hated this book.
I picked this up because I was on the bus (so more like "downloaded onto my kindle," but whatever) and wanted something quick and mindless that wouldn't distract me from exams. "Chick-lit" is a pretty fraught term, but just because a book is written by women, about women, for women doesn't make it light-weight or trash. Unfortunately, this is both.
One chapter in and I'm already screaming at the narrator - this is the THIRD TIME you've snapped the heel of $700 shoes while driving?! Fucking buy cheaper shoes, drive in cheaper shoes, or take your damn shoes off while driving WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. So, brainless, sure, but quick? Not when I have 40+ kindle notes venting about how irritating EVERYTHING in this book is. So why not put it down? Well, I paid $1.99 for it. I started it. And since I started it, I have to finish it.
Listen. For anyone feeling despair over the shape of the publishing industry after Twilight and Shades of Shit, let it be known that garbage writing was bestselling long before. At the very least, it's not a new development.
I hate so much about the things this book chooses to be. Because all her novels are published with pleasingly similar covers, and if I'd loved this book, I could have HAD THEM ALLLLLLLLLLL.
We have the unintentional casual racism of Twilight; every cab driver, newsagent, and concierge has a deliberately ethnic name and an over-the-top accent. She only has one gay character and has copied and pasted him 20 times to populate the entire magazine staff, and their only role is to shout about how fabulous everything is. We have both books' unbearable rich, arrogant, controlling, douchecanoe of a potential love interest in the form of one CHRISTIAN Collinsworth, who addresses Andrea as "darling" and "little Andy," and repeatedly tells her not to worry her "pretty little head" about things, kisses and feels her up without her permission, uses his status to manipulate her into being in the same places as he is, and I just can't. I can not. This in addition to the concierge who grants and denies entry into her PLACE OF WORK based on whether or not she SINGS AND DANCES FOR HIM, and I truly do not understand what it is about this book that people enjoy.
On top of the shitty main character, the listless plot, the endless descriptions of clothes and accessories by a character who ostensibly "doesn't care about that sort of thing," ethnic stereotypes, gay stereotypes, and the horrific sexism, the editing of this bestselling, several-years-old book is unforgivably sloppy. You can blame the author, who often seems to forget what's she's written two paragraphs ago (see below for examples). But you can also blame the fact that someone was paid to spot errors like these, and they did not do their job. I'm seeing this in SO many books lately, and I just do not understand it at all.
Anyway, the examples:
About her friend Lily:
...we hadn't spent any real time together since I'd moved to the city...
And one paragraph later, for those with frontal lobe damage:
Because with her first year as a graduate student and my being a virtual slave, we hadn't seen a whole lot of each other lately.
But why wait for the next paragraph when you can do things like this:
And so after three months, I surrendered. I just got too tired. Emotionally, physically, mentally, the daily wardrobe ordeal had sapped me of all energy. Until, that is, I relented on the three-month anniversary of my first day.
There are things like
Ahn-dre-ah!” she hissed, much too ladylike to ever make a scene.
After describing, on the previous page, Priestly mimicking Andy with a "hyena-like howl" after which people turn to stare. How is this not making a bloody scene?
There's also a general feeling of carelessness. Nobody's emotions flow or make any contiguous sense from paragraph to paragraph.
And there's this:
...the way he looked at me through those hooded lids with the persistent curl...
I believe she's referring to the curl of hair that totes adorably falls in his face before every line of dialogue so he can sexily push it away. Or possibly, his hooded lids really do have a curl, and the author has managed to inject something original into this inane and cliche-ridden waste of electronic space.
I laughed twice in over 300 pages. Both times were in response to some good, old-fashioned Jewish mothering (sure, it's a stereotype, but it's one I can relate to), and maybe I'd read Lauren Weisberger again if she wrote a book about that, but damn.
And then the end. How unsatisfying was that?
Spoiler
Andy doesn't make the decision to quit because she had had enough, she did it because her boyfriend guilted her for not being at the side of her best friend, comatose from an exquisitely convenient car crash, completely WASTING a year's worth of irritation (hers and the reader's). And similarly, when first told about said crash, she didn't immediately decide to rush to her friend's side because that's what's important to her, she decided to stay. So we get the worst of both worlds, and the ending (which I think we're supposed to find charming and fulfilling) is completely unsatisfying.I have now spent way, way more time thinking about this book than it deserves, so, I'm done.
That's all.
I have seen the movie several years ago, and since I needed a beach read, I finally picked up the book.
It actually isn't much more than a beach read, and feels a bit like someone tries very hard to get even. It's still a fun read, but at times Andreas seems a bit too Mary Sue and Miranda is basically Voldemort.
It actually isn't much more than a beach read, and feels a bit like someone tries very hard to get even. It's still a fun read, but at times Andreas seems a bit too Mary Sue and Miranda is basically Voldemort.
Hmmm... I’m glad I read this book because it gave me more insight into narcissism, but I can’t say that it was a particular favorite.
On the plus side, Weisberger entertained as she the office atmosphere. The slow, steady buildup of the trauma bond that tethered Andrea to Miranda was fairly well-done and was punctuated by occasional moments of self-reflection as Andy wondered what exactly made her continue to put up with Miranda’s demanding behaviors. To those who have been in any sort of relationship with a narcissist, those moments of disorientation, questioning how things got bad is very relatable. Also relatable are the descriptions of the near-Pavlovian physical response Andrea has to her cell phone’s ringtone.
On the other hand, Andrea’s shortcomings are as smoothly glossed over as a swipe of Nars Orgasm. Perhaps Andrea’s age and maturity are to blame for some of Andrea’s more questionable work habits in Weisberger’s estimation. I felt Weisberger missed some chances to contrast the warmth of Andrea’s family to the impersonal, chilly work environment she signed up for.
This novel may have been stronger with more focus on the psychological aspects that made Andrea such a good target for a narcissist like Miranda or more commentary on how Miranda’s character developed such atrocious habits. I’ll admit, though, that these topics aren’t to everyone’s tastes and might have added too much length to the novel.
Overall, it was an interesting read, a good glimpse into the workings of fashion magazines. With a warning like that, I’m most grateful I never got into that line of work!
On the plus side, Weisberger entertained as she the office atmosphere. The slow, steady buildup of the trauma bond that tethered Andrea to Miranda was fairly well-done and was punctuated by occasional moments of self-reflection as Andy wondered what exactly made her continue to put up with Miranda’s demanding behaviors. To those who have been in any sort of relationship with a narcissist, those moments of disorientation, questioning how things got bad is very relatable. Also relatable are the descriptions of the near-Pavlovian physical response Andrea has to her cell phone’s ringtone.
On the other hand, Andrea’s shortcomings are as smoothly glossed over as a swipe of Nars Orgasm. Perhaps Andrea’s age and maturity are to blame for some of Andrea’s more questionable work habits in Weisberger’s estimation. I felt Weisberger missed some chances to contrast the warmth of Andrea’s family to the impersonal, chilly work environment she signed up for.
This novel may have been stronger with more focus on the psychological aspects that made Andrea such a good target for a narcissist like Miranda or more commentary on how Miranda’s character developed such atrocious habits. I’ll admit, though, that these topics aren’t to everyone’s tastes and might have added too much length to the novel.
Overall, it was an interesting read, a good glimpse into the workings of fashion magazines. With a warning like that, I’m most grateful I never got into that line of work!
3,5 because the book ending was so much better than the movie ending,
however I really wished I liked the book more but sadly I didn't. I found it quite repetitive and at times it was really dull to read. Maybe it would be more fascinating for someone who has greater interest in the fashion world than me. I also didn't enjoy the length of the chapters, they were too long which made it even more difficult for me to read, since I am a kind of person that likes to finish the chapter before he stops reading. I do not regret that I read it because like I said the movie is one of my favourite movies and I have also bough the other two books in this trilogy so I will be continuing reading to see what happens next with Andy.
however I really wished I liked the book more but sadly I didn't. I found it quite repetitive and at times it was really dull to read. Maybe it would be more fascinating for someone who has greater interest in the fashion world than me. I also didn't enjoy the length of the chapters, they were too long which made it even more difficult for me to read, since I am a kind of person that likes to finish the chapter before he stops reading. I do not regret that I read it because like I said the movie is one of my favourite movies and I have also bough the other two books in this trilogy so I will be continuing reading to see what happens next with Andy.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
i can’t believe it has taken me this long to read this.
i thought this was a really interesting look into the fashion world (it seems semi autobiographical), and in general the demands of being a personal assistant. reminds me of another book that was a memoir written by an executive assistant in private equity (Private Equity by Carrie Sun)
- spoilers -
main character was not super likeable, but i must admit i just felt bad for her (EXCEpt when she was entertaining another guy’s affections though she had a boyfriend, though the other guy was kinda a dick about it too by making advances despite knowing she has a boyfriend?? so it’s kinda messy) - a twenty three year old getting swept up in career progression, subordinate to a boss who makes way too many unreasonable demands and demands all of her time, causing her to throw aside her relationships. it seems like an all too common tale? and it really makes you think about what twenty something year old people give up for their career. the multiple repetitions of the idea that she’ll just slog it out and suffer for one year, then move on to greater things with this valuable experience under her belt, sounds so damn familiar it makes me sad.
sorry this is more a rant adjacent to the book itself, but reading the goodreads reviews for this pissed me off a little. people were hating on the main character because she should have known what she was getting into, she could have quit at anytime if it was bad, also some people felt miranda priestly should have been humanized more because she worked her way up to success and is so amazing.
like, maybe the MC should have done her homework on the demands of the job before taking it, but (at least based on how the book described the things she was put through as an assistant) there is nothing in this world that justifies a boss being unreasonable and cruel and unclear in instructions?? not “you should have known and done your homework”, not “but the boss is so accomplished and worked her way up and the book needs to talk a lot about that instead of emphasizing that she’s mean” (i’m assuming people feel this way maybe because miranda priestly is supposed to represent anna wintour) like bro some of these requests this boss made are downright ridiculous so idek why goodreads readers were so pressed to defend her 😭 they were like “omg the MC is so annoying for complaining when she’s asked to do her tasks”, tasks include: going out in the freezing ass cold for the fifth time that day to starbucks because the latte went cold (latte went cold because MC was picking up something else boss had asked for), searching all of 70s streets manhattan to find a specific antique store the boss wanted to find and had the business card of but did not deign to tell the MC the name of etc etc
wtheck i would be so mad too???
nothing ever justifies being an asshole. U can be successful and nice. sometimes it seems we give people a pass to act mean because they are rIcH and sUcceSsful and whatever (like think about how many celebrities are known for being divas, but it is all part of their image people r like Yeah, given their status it /makes sense/ that they are divas it checks out for them. Bruh.) also the notion that toxic jobs r not that bad because “u could just quit if it’s so bad” is sooo messed up.
ok granted (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) maybe MC quitting by telling boss “fk you” at a major fashion show is over the top but given all she endured. go off queen. and given this is semi autobiographical i’m guessing weisberger wrote it for some form of catharsis maybe???
this was way too long a rant for one book. i should watch the movie i heard it’s better
i thought this was a really interesting look into the fashion world (it seems semi autobiographical), and in general the demands of being a personal assistant. reminds me of another book that was a memoir written by an executive assistant in private equity (Private Equity by Carrie Sun)
- spoilers -
main character was not super likeable, but i must admit i just felt bad for her (EXCEpt when she was entertaining another guy’s affections though she had a boyfriend, though the other guy was kinda a dick about it too by making advances despite knowing she has a boyfriend?? so it’s kinda messy) - a twenty three year old getting swept up in career progression, subordinate to a boss who makes way too many unreasonable demands and demands all of her time, causing her to throw aside her relationships. it seems like an all too common tale? and it really makes you think about what twenty something year old people give up for their career. the multiple repetitions of the idea that she’ll just slog it out and suffer for one year, then move on to greater things with this valuable experience under her belt, sounds so damn familiar it makes me sad.
sorry this is more a rant adjacent to the book itself, but reading the goodreads reviews for this pissed me off a little. people were hating on the main character because she should have known what she was getting into, she could have quit at anytime if it was bad, also some people felt miranda priestly should have been humanized more because she worked her way up to success and is so amazing.
like, maybe the MC should have done her homework on the demands of the job before taking it, but (at least based on how the book described the things she was put through as an assistant) there is nothing in this world that justifies a boss being unreasonable and cruel and unclear in instructions?? not “you should have known and done your homework”, not “but the boss is so accomplished and worked her way up and the book needs to talk a lot about that instead of emphasizing that she’s mean” (i’m assuming people feel this way maybe because miranda priestly is supposed to represent anna wintour) like bro some of these requests this boss made are downright ridiculous so idek why goodreads readers were so pressed to defend her 😭 they were like “omg the MC is so annoying for complaining when she’s asked to do her tasks”, tasks include: going out in the freezing ass cold for the fifth time that day to starbucks because the latte went cold (latte went cold because MC was picking up something else boss had asked for), searching all of 70s streets manhattan to find a specific antique store the boss wanted to find and had the business card of but did not deign to tell the MC the name of etc etc
wtheck i would be so mad too???
nothing ever justifies being an asshole. U can be successful and nice. sometimes it seems we give people a pass to act mean because they are rIcH and sUcceSsful and whatever (like think about how many celebrities are known for being divas, but it is all part of their image people r like Yeah, given their status it /makes sense/ that they are divas it checks out for them. Bruh.) also the notion that toxic jobs r not that bad because “u could just quit if it’s so bad” is sooo messed up.
ok granted (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) maybe MC quitting by telling boss “fk you” at a major fashion show is over the top but given all she endured. go off queen. and given this is semi autobiographical i’m guessing weisberger wrote it for some form of catharsis maybe???
this was way too long a rant for one book. i should watch the movie i heard it’s better