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| Cover for Anchor file tie-in edition (released 30th May 2006) |
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Publisher: DoubleDay
Release Date: First published 15th April 2003
Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Fiction
Summary:
Fresh out of university; Andrea Sacks has high hopes for her future career in journalism. However, times are tough and jobs are scarce.
Although not her first choice; she lands a prestigious role at the famous Runway fashion magazine as the assistant to the demanding, successful and utterly devilish, Miranda Priestly.
One year she has to last. One year fetching coffee and running errands. One year of sheer hell.
It will be worth it.
Review:
When I read this book last summer, I was commuting daily to London on the train to do work experience at a publishing house. Whilst everyone around me was reading The Financial Times and profound works by Shakespeare; I was reading The Devil Wears Prada. This book is unashamedly a staple piece of the chick-lit (there is that word again!) genre. It is a guilty pleasure, that women everywhere should read. End of.
Many authors have tried to copy the themes and plot lines in this book and, in my opinion, failed (see my review of Tell Him About It by Holly Kinsella here). Weisberger has achieved the perfect balance between romance, humour and scandal. It is therefore easy to see why the book has been so successful.
On a serious note, upon reflection, I feel that the book is more like a tragedy that highlights the current situation that many graduates face. Doing laborious task after laborious task, and pushing away their family, friends and loved ones, just to make a name for themselves in their respective industry. It really gets you thinking; what would you do to get ahead and one step closer to your dream job?
Anywaaay...
When reading it, I found it hard not to draw comparisons between the film and the book. The main thing I noticed about the book is that Miranda is so evil. So much detail and evilness is left out from the film; I feel sorry for the person who had to make the edits.
But just so you know, unsurprisingly, the book is the best out of the two!
Rating: 8/10. Nothing like the film!
You can buy The Devil Wears Prada from Amazon here.
Title: Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil ReturnsAuthor: Lauren Weisberger
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 20th June 2013
Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Fiction
Summary:
Things have changed a lot for Andrea Sacks in ten years. Although the nightmares from her time at Runway still haunt her; she is now the proud editor of her own successful magazine and is about to get married to the wealthy, handsome and charming, Max Harrison. Life is perfect.
However, in the shadows, a devil is lingering. Determined to seek revenge, Miranda Priestly is on the war-path to consume everything Andy holds dear; her business, family and friends.
Review:
I had great expectations for this book and the standard set by The Devil Wears Prada was high. I was, however, greatly disappointed by this book for many reasons.
I was really, really looking forward to seeing how Miranda and Andy would interact with each other after all of these years, and whether Miranda would have at least some respect for Andy and her accomplishments. However, I was severely disappointed as Miranda hardly even appears in the book! In my opinion, she does not so much "return" as the title suggests; she more rather just passes through. Page after page, I was expecting Miranda to resurface but to no avail. False advertising, much?
Similarly, Andy and Max's marriage really frustrated me as, in my opinion, they were doomed to fail from the very start. They were in no way made for each other as they are too different. Whilst Andy worked hard for her success; Max, and his millions, were handed to him on a plate. Just. Too. Different.
Emily is also evil. Still.
Rating: 4/10. A bit like catching up with an old friend; necessary but painful.
You can buy Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns from Amazon here.
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