The Nanny Diaries

Version: Abridged
Author: Emma McLaughlin
Narrator: Julia Roberts
Genres: Fiction, Comedy, Satire
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: February 2002
Length: 4 hours, 43 minutes
Ratings:
Formats :
  • CD
  • MP3
  • M4B
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Overview

Based on the real-life experiences, 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 over-privileged raises les petites - as if grooming them for a Best of Show competition. A poignant satire, it punctures the glamor 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 X's 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.

Reviews (24)

Great

Written by Anonymous on June 9th, 2011

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Julia Roberts does an excellent job! I wish there were an unabridged version; I was not ready for this one to end.

Good One

Written by Anonymous on August 12th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This book was a riot. Kept you guessing and engaged the entire read. Parts were hysterical. Definitely worth it - a quick one too.

Very good, but sad

Written by Anonymous on July 27th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 4/5

A good book, but more sad and pathetic than funny to me (although there was some great sarcasm). I know there are parents like this out there and I grieve for those kids.

Nanny Diaries

Written by Anonymous on April 22nd, 2009

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Julia Roberts did a wonderful job narrating the story. She has a great voice. The story definitely kept my interest & made the commute go by fast. The ending was a litte anti-climatic, and I wish that Mrs. X had gotten more of what she deserved. But, overall, it was a good story, and Julia Roberts did a great great with the different voices.

A good chick flick (disc)!

Written by Flakdog from Redlands, CA on July 12th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This was enjoyable but sad too; that this could be (probably is) the way of some nanny lives. Narration was great. I just wanted to say to Nanny, "Punch her a good one", at times!

Kept my interest

Written by Kelly Abad on October 18th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this book! Julia Roberts was the reader and kept my interest. She used some voices that I wouldn't have placed with the character (if I had read the book myself) but it was overall a great book. I listen to audiobooks during my commute to work and I brought this one to my office to keep listening.

Nanny Diaries

Written by Christin Wasiloski on July 20th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and intend on purchasing the unabridged version to add to my library. The ending’s a little rough for me, since it doesn’t tie up all the loose ends, though it’s totally realistic. It’s got the same feel as the Devil Wears Prada, but we learn little about the Nanny’s personal life. It was quite enjoyable.

The Nanny Diaries

Written by Arlene on April 23rd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This was a very bittersweet book. Julia Roberts did a wonderful job of reading it. Highly recommended.

Driveway Moments

Written by Mackenzie Thomas from San Antonio, TX on August 23rd, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I loved this book! I found myself laughing out loud many times during this book. Very well read by Julia Roberts. I ended up having many "driveway moments" where I just sat in the driveway once home just to listen to the next event!

Pretty Interesting

Written by dlct on April 6th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Fast-paced and fun, the tales of Nanny (annoying name) make one incredulous at the stupidity, short-sightedness, and selfishness of the wealthy. Several times I expected this girl to grow a spine and quit. The fact that she put up with so much was irritating and perhaps a bit beyond belief. No one needs tuition THAT badly! The tale is well-written, populated with good, solid, believable characters and the relationship between Nanny and her little charge is sweet and touching. There's a lot of unbelieveable situations and shopping, but then I don't live in New York City and no one I know is quite so label-conscious and snooty. The narrator's reading adds to this story. Altogether not too bad.

Author Details

Author Details

McLaughlin, Emma

Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin are the authors of "The Nanny Diaries" and "Citizen Girl". They live and work in New York City. Please visit their website at www.emmaandnicola.com.

Kraus, Nicola

Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin are the authors of "The Nanny Diaries" and "Citizen Girl". They live and work in New York City. Please visit their website at www.emmaandnicola.com.