The Manny
by Holly Peterson
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Book Reviews of The Manny
Book Review: Little Substance
Summary: 2 Stars
This book seemed to be trying to be one of substance. There were some interesting plot elements begging for exploration. Jamie is in her thirties, a mother of three small children. She finds herself ten years into a marriage with a guy she doesn't really like, living the good life surrounded by wealthy people who seem much more comfortable in their wealth than she is. Jamie can't seem to relax into her expected role, and chooses to work part-time for a television station. Her children miss the attention of their parents, and her oldest son, who is nine, seems especially affected.
It would have been interesting to explore in detail these lives of the rich and unhappy, to check out their dysfunctional families. It would have been interesting to see a more in-depth treatment of Jamie's job and her career-boosting assignment landing an interview with a woman who claims to have dirt on a respected Congressman.
In the end, though, this book is simply a frivolous story of a married woman who moons over the male nanny she hires to get her son back on track. He's too perfect in every way, with his easygoing attitude, incredible physique, and knack for charming small children and hired help alike. Jamie and the manny flirt with each other in a variety of situations, with no regard to who is observing. He seems to have no problem with the fact that she is married and has three children, and she seems to have no problem leading him on when she isn't sure if she is going to leave her husband.
For most of the book, Jamie floats, not making any real effort to fix her marriage or to get out of it, not making more time for her kids, not trying to get out of the society she hates nor trying to get more comfortable with it. She passively waits for something to happen to her, and ultimately things do happen. It's not nearly as satisfying, though, as if she had been a character who figured out what she wanted in life and took steps to make it happen.
The book was rather predictable and, as the characters never really sprang to life for me, also rather forgettable.
Book Review: The absolute worst!
Summary: 1 Stars
This book was soooo bad, I don't even know where to begin. Since I had to give it a rating, it gets 1 star. But in reality it would be a zero star.
The main character is so whiny and obnoxious that I didn't like her at all. She's suppose to be someone with values and integrity but I thought she was just as bad as her "supposed" Park Avenue friends if not worse. Yes these rich bitches are snobby and condescending but at least you know where you stand with them. The main character whines throughout the whole book about her life. She lives in a posh apartment in Manhattan, her husband makes over $1 million each year, she has 2 full-time staff, and can afford the luxury of working part-time not for the money but to "make her a better mommy". Give me a break! She should live in the real world like the rest of us who have to work for a living and do everything ourselves (cooking, cleaning, laundry) and who, heaven forbid, have to send our kids to public school. The scenario with the manny was so unbelievable, I just couldn't imagine why he would be interested in her. As well, she didn't start getting interested in him until he was rich. What a hypocritical gold digger.
This book was a total waste of time. Thank God I borrowed it from the library and didn't waste any of my hard earned cash on it. The premise was utterly stupid and the writing was incredibly bad. I can't believe this rubbish got published. It goes to show you that any no talent person can get a book deal if they know the right people.
Book Review: Not that bad
Summary: 4 Stars
I just finished reading "The Manny" as part of my Summer 2008 reading and I liked it. I think that it's definitely appropriate for to be cast in the light, Summer, beach read category. I didn't think the storyline was that bad, Mannies are something that I haven't read before. I sided with Jamie, the main character, in the situations that she was in and she was like-able to me. Her husband got on my nerves but I think he was supposed to. Also I was satisfied with how the book ended. The book did have a bit of a chick-lit formula but that's what to be expected when reading a chick-lit novel.
I didn't have any big problems with the storyline or the book. But I do have to say that the author made Peter, the manny, seem to perfect. Like he didn't have any flaws. Nobody can be that perfect. Also Jamie didn't really seem to spend that much time with her two younger kids. Most of time that wasn't spent at work, was worrying and spending time with her older son, Dylan.
But I really didn't think the book was horrible. It kept me interested-I never got bored reading it. I would recommend this book to people who like Plum Sykes and books about the Manhattan elite. It's definitely a great book for Summer reading.
Book Review: It's junk, yes, but it's worthy of a beach read!
Summary: 3 Stars
Okay, this book was junk... I won't lie. But it's also fluffy easy-reading junk. Nothing really made me mad or anything, it was just easy reading "can see the ending a mile away" type of thing. Save it for the beach this Summer, but it's worth a read. Kind of sad the woman had to hire someone to play with her kid though. It's fiction, but you know that some poor kids have these guys that are paid to play with them because their dad is too busy. *laugh*
Okay... like I said, it's total junk, but it's a beach read for sure. Pick it up and read it in June on vacation :)
Book Review: Please save your money
Summary: 1 Stars
Don't know much I can add to what people have already said, but I love chick lit and can enjoy almost any book, but I found this book painful to finish. The writing wasn't great, the characters were cardboard, and the story was so drawn out. It was a cute idea, but it wasn't well executed. So please just trust me and save your money. This book and Trading Up by Candace Bushnell are the only two chick lit books I have ever not enjoyed.