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Post by Lucidity on Nov 3, 2007 16:03:07 GMT -5
Has anyone read this book? I guess it's been out for a while, but I just read it several weeks ago and was deeply moved. This book is hilarious in wonderful ways, but also very, very sad. Because it rings completely true. It was made into a movie, starring Scarlett Johanssen, but I haven't seen it yet. Can't find it. But I will see it asap.
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Post by Kahlessa on Nov 4, 2007 1:16:52 GMT -5
Has anyone read this book? I guess it's been out for a while, but I just read it several weeks ago and was deeply moved. This book is hilarious in wonderful ways, but also very, very sad. Because it rings completely true. It was made into a movie, starring Scarlett Johanssen, but I haven't seen it yet. Can't find it. But I will see it asap. I haven't read it yet, but I know a little of what nannies can ended up dealing with. Years ago I used to babysit through an agency in the Chicago suburbs. Most of the families were very nice, even in some of the richest households in the area. One family I’ll never forget though. I was going to be spending the night because both parents had to leave for work very early in the morning. Their nanny was going away for the weekend and they needed someone just for Friday. There was one child, a four-year-old boy. I met the nanny and she was a very capable young woman who was working as a nanny while she saved money for college. She managed the boy with a firm but kind hand and told me how to handle him. Then she left and I had dinner with the family. During the dinner, the boy wanted something and his mother said no. He started to throw a fit and she immediately caved in, saying to me, “Anything to avoid an argument.” I refrained from commenting on what an interesting parenting philosophy that was. The next day the boy was playing outside and I told him it was time to go in for lunch. He started to throw a fit. I told him he could throw a fit if he wanted to, but we were still going in. He stopped abruptly, said, “Okay” and happily ran into the house. I just hope the family kept hiring good nannies or I worry what happened to that kid.
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Post by Lucidity on Nov 4, 2007 22:08:58 GMT -5
Having had nanny experiences, Kahlessa, you will appreciate the book more than most. I highly recommend it. The incidents with the little boy that you described, above, are typical of those in the book. After you read it, I'd be very interested in knowing what you think of it.
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Post by Kickup on Nov 8, 2007 1:16:54 GMT -5
I've had The Nanny Diaries on my shelf, it seems for a few years? It's nice to hear that it isn't just gossipy stories, but has some depth. Maybe now I'll get around to reading it. Thanks for the input.
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Post by Lucidity on Dec 10, 2007 18:21:33 GMT -5
I just finished reading it again and enjoyed it as much as I did the first time, although I wasn't surprised this time. I still recommend this book! It's destined to be one of my all-time favorites, I think. The characters are very intelligently presented with gimlet eyes for detail. Also, the thought of making some very selfish spawners of children squirm with the concern that they might be the ones portrayed makes me smile.
Finally, I saw the movie. As is usual, it wasn't nearly as good as the book, but not bad. The script writers and producers must have been doing some squirming because the ending was changed with Mrs. X having learned her lessons. Hopefully, there were some REAL Mrs. Xes who saw themselves in the book or movie and made desperately needed changes.
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