The Devil Wears Prada

It's a killer title: The Devil Wears Prada. And it's killer material: author Lauren Weisberger did a stint as assistant to Anna Wintour, the all-powerful editor of Vogue magazine. Now she's written a book, and this is its theme: narrator Andrea Sachs goes to work for Miranda Priestly, the all-powerful editor of Runway magazine. It turns out Miranda is quite the bossyboots. That's pretty much the extent of the novel, but it's plenty. Miranda's behaviour is so insanely over-the-top that it's a gas to see what she'll do next, and to try to guess which incidents were culled from the real-life antics of the woman who's been called Anna "Nuclear" Wintour. For instance, when Miranda goes to Paris for the collections, Andrea receives a call back at the New York office (where, incidentally, she's not allowed to leave her desk to eat or go to the bathroom, lest her boss should call). Miranda bellows over the line: "I am standing in the pouring rain on the rue de Rivoli and my driver has vanished. Vanished! Find him immediately!"

This kind of thing is delicious fun to read about, though not as well written as its obvious antecedent, The Nanny Diaries. And therein lies the essential problem of the book. Andrea's goal in life is to work for The New Yorker--she's only sticking it out with Miranda for a job recommendation. But author Weisberger is such an inept, ungrammatical writer, you're positively rooting for her fictional alter ego not to get anywhere near The New Yorker. Still, Weisberger has certainly one-upped Me Times Three author Alix Witchel, whose magazine-world novel never gave us the inside dope that was the book's whole raison d'être. For the most part, The Devil Wears Prada focuses on the outrageous Miranda Priestly, and she's an irresistible spectacle. --Claire Dederer, Amazon.com

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Disappointing in some areas - Rated
I agree with some of the opinions of other reviewers on here. This semi-autobiographical novel is undemanding, fairly light-hearted entertainment, but does not reach its full potential. I agree that the characterisation of Andrea, the protagonist, is one-dimensional, and quite honestly felt disgusted at her attitude in certain situations, for example her debating over whether to spit in her manager's drink/ lick the ice cubes for her Pellegrino/her setting out her manager's take out lunch with her bare hands...ugh!! I felt that the character of Alex, her dedicated teacher boyfriend, could have been developed further in order for him to act as a type of literary foil to the character of Andrea, i.e. he represents the grounded 'real world' whilst Andrea succumbs to the seductive glamour of the world of fashion and compromises her principles in the process. I agree also that the standard of proof reading throughout this book leaves a lot to be desired, I found it irritating when reading to encounter typos such as 'Bobby Brown' instead of 'Bobbi Brown','Alberto Ferretti' instead of 'Alberta Ferreti' for example, as it is a sign of carelessness. Don't even get me started on the 'heroine-chic' comment! Overall, the kind of book to read if you don't want to stimulate your brain cells too much, I quite enjoyed it, but it feels as if there is something missing.

what a struggle - Rated
was really diappointed by this one because i read everyone worth knowing few years ago and totally loved it. the film is much better than the book, got fed up with it after a few chapters, hopefully hcasing harry winston will be better!!!???

An amazing read! - Rated
I really enjoyed this book!
I went on a 1 week holiday and found this book in the villa! I rushed to read it before i got home! I am really glad i picked it up!
I couldn't put this book down and i would recommend it to anyone! The book is much better than the film and the book was very enjoyable to read!

I couldn't stop reading it! - Rated
I loved it, was determined to finish this book before I watched the film and ended up not being able to put it down. It was very entertaining and the perfect escapism. very well written. Cant say much more, other than a fabulous holiday read, or even the perfect relax in the house over summer whilst it's raining outside read!

I found it un-put-downable! - Rated
After having enjoyed the film, I picked the book up a few months ago and only just read it. I can't help feeling that some of the negative reviewers have missed the point, I found it really quite un-put-downable! No it's not great literature, but it's really well paced and very readable. I'm not a fashion fan and I was appalled by the description of the fashion industry with its wasteful and excessive materialism. The lack of basic humanity shown by Miranda's character angered me. I wouldn't have sacked Andrea as per other reviewers, and no, I could never feel 'sorry' for a monster like Miranda! I didn't think she whined, she was witty! Andrea never got to use any of her literary or intellectual talents for Runway, and I felt that Miranda was like a spoilt child expecting people to 'fix' silly little things for her from the other side of the world if necessary, and at unreasonable and ungodly hours with the threat of being sacked for not succeeding! I don't remember the film as having as much clout as the book so I'm going to rent it out again just to see. I'm surprised at the mixed reviews. As for advice for would-be purchasers, I suppose if you are after some light holiday reading and you are skeptical of the fashionistas of this world and would enjoy hating 'the boss (and system) from hell' I say give it a whirl!