Book Review: The Nanny Diaries

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, two former NYC nannies, was extremely addicting. I never wanted to put the book down. It is a fictional story based on the real-life experiences of nannies, particularly those in New York City. Coming from a small, rural town, it was hard for me to imagine what life would be like working as a nanny for a rich, seemingly uncaring family in the big city. The story is not only enchanting because it seems to be a peek into the "secret life of nannies," as it seems to me, but it is also written in such a charming and, like I said, addicting style. All of the people and events are presumably fictional, but one can't help but wonder who the inspiration was for the story. It is also a page-turner and a "can't-put-down-must-read-more" novel because of the intrigue. The nanny's name is simply "Nanny," the family she works for are called the "Xes," and her mysterious boyfriend never gets a name other than "H.H" ("Harvard Hottie"). Surely all these people have real names... I suppose the point of the story is not the people but the situation. I guess you'll just have to read to find out. And you won't regret it. It does contain some language, much of which is to create realism and drama. Kudos to McLaughlin and Kraus for bringing readers into their world, and making me, for one, never want to enter it!