The Nanny Diaries A Novel
The Nanny Diaries A Novel by Emma McLaughlin is a first edition published by Macmillan on March 18, 2003. This 305-page book offers a humorous and insightful look into the lives of Manhattan’s upper class through the eyes of a young woman who takes on the challenging role of a nanny for a wealthy family. Written by two former nannies, the narrative explores the complexities and absurdities of family life in a high-society setting, highlighting the often-overlooked struggles faced by caregivers.
Readers will find a blend of humor and sharp social commentary as the protagonist navigates her demanding job caring for a four-year-old boy while managing the expectations of his affluent parents. The story delves into themes of family dynamics, the pressures of city life, and the often unrecognized labor of women in domestic roles. As the nanny grapples with her responsibilities and the disintegration of the X family’s marriage, she must balance her own integrity with the absurdities of her situation, all while maintaining her sense of humor.
Official synopsis Publisher
Written by two former nannies, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, The Nanny Diaries deftly punctures the glamour of Manhattan’s upper class.
Now a major motion picture starring Scarlett Johansson and Laura Linney.
Wanted:
One young woman to take care of four-year-old boy. Must be cheerful, enthusiastic and selfless–bordering on masochistic. Must relish sixteen-hour shifts with a deliberately nap-deprived preschooler. Must love getting thrown up on, literally and figuratively, by everyone in his family. Must enjoy the delicious anticipation of ridiculously erratic pay. Mostly, must love being treated like fungus found growing out of employers Hermès bag. Those who take it personally need not apply.
Who wouldn’t want this job? Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic studio apartment, Nanny takes a position caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved to ensure that a Park Avenue wife who doesn’t work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.
When the Xs’ marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny ends up involved way beyond the bounds of human decency or good taste. Her tenure with the X family becomes a nearly impossible mission to maintain 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.
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