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A review by am_paro
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
3.0
Didn't love it, didn't hate it, LOTS of opinions about it. I first read this in 2010, while I was job-searching in the post-Great Recession job market. That horrible experience really influenced my views of The Devil Wears Prada, book and movie.
I honestly did not understand in 2010 and continue to not understand today why Andy was criticized repeatedly for trying to keep her shitty job--a job that could have opened doors in the publishing field for her, literally catapulting her to higher pay, better opportunities! Yes, it was absolutely terrible that Miranda was abusive to her assistants, but that's a problem that the company's HR should have been working on by disciplining or firing Miranda. It's not fair to expect the low-paid, entry-level worker to quit in a principled show of protest if she would rather keep the job, the paycheck, and the chance to get a better job down the road. Jobs don't grow on trees, and Andy had struggled to get even this crappy job in her field. I respected Andy for deciding to soldier through her awful year with Miranda, keeping her eye on the prize--I would have done exactly the same. The ultimatums and guilt-trips from her friends and family were annoying as fuck. Oh, she should just blow off her work responsibilities, knowing that would get her fired, so that she can make them feel more secure (especially that sanctimonious boyfriend)? Wow, no thanks. They could have tried being supportive and understanding for literally just one year, but that was too much.
(Quick aside to comment on the movie: When Andy is assigned at the last minute to work a gala and has to miss her boyfriend's birthday party, and the boyfriend was So Very Upset!!1! [oh but it's not reeeally about the birthday, it's just that Andy's never around anymore!1!!], I cringed so hard it was a full ab workout. Do these people not understand that sometimes work obligations can interrupt life, and if she had more seniority she might be able to refuse, but as entry-level and brand new, she basically needs to go with it? Also, he's turning, what, 24? Birthday parties are for children. Please get over it. Sigh.)
In the end, Andy managed to put together some decent freelancing jobs...which felt a bit like a fairytale ending, Andy having the chance to ~*~Follow Her Dreams~*~...give me a break. I know the novel was written well before the Recession, but, wow, that really seemed unrealistic to me. Still, after an awful year and awful friends, I was glad Andy got what she wanted, at least.
I honestly did not understand in 2010 and continue to not understand today why Andy was criticized repeatedly for trying to keep her shitty job--a job that could have opened doors in the publishing field for her, literally catapulting her to higher pay, better opportunities! Yes, it was absolutely terrible that Miranda was abusive to her assistants, but that's a problem that the company's HR should have been working on by disciplining or firing Miranda. It's not fair to expect the low-paid, entry-level worker to quit in a principled show of protest if she would rather keep the job, the paycheck, and the chance to get a better job down the road. Jobs don't grow on trees, and Andy had struggled to get even this crappy job in her field. I respected Andy for deciding to soldier through her awful year with Miranda, keeping her eye on the prize--I would have done exactly the same. The ultimatums and guilt-trips from her friends and family were annoying as fuck. Oh, she should just blow off her work responsibilities, knowing that would get her fired, so that she can make them feel more secure (especially that sanctimonious boyfriend)? Wow, no thanks. They could have tried being supportive and understanding for literally just one year, but that was too much.
(Quick aside to comment on the movie: When Andy is assigned at the last minute to work a gala and has to miss her boyfriend's birthday party, and the boyfriend was So Very Upset!!1! [oh but it's not reeeally about the birthday, it's just that Andy's never around anymore!1!!], I cringed so hard it was a full ab workout. Do these people not understand that sometimes work obligations can interrupt life, and if she had more seniority she might be able to refuse, but as entry-level and brand new, she basically needs to go with it? Also, he's turning, what, 24? Birthday parties are for children. Please get over it. Sigh.)
In the end, Andy managed to put together some decent freelancing jobs...which felt a bit like a fairytale ending, Andy having the chance to ~*~Follow Her Dreams~*~...give me a break. I know the novel was written well before the Recession, but, wow, that really seemed unrealistic to me. Still, after an awful year and awful friends, I was glad Andy got what she wanted, at least.