'Nanny' is a funny read

From the introduction/disclaimer that opens the book, it was clear that "The Nanny Diaries" is a different type of book. The authors, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, are both former nannies turned sophisticated socialites in Manhattan. The intro makes it clear that the family described in the book is purely fictitious; for their sake I am glad this is the case.\n"The Nanny Diaries" follows the life of Nanny, a -- you guessed it -- nanny to the sophisticates of Manhattan. She uses the job just as a way to pay the rent for her tiny studio apartment and life at New York University, but instead gets drawn into the messy personal lives of her employers, all while trying to save the sanity of her tiny charge.\nNanny begins working for the X family accidentally, when she chances upon them in the park. Hired as a replacement for the current nanny, she quickly learns what a hectic life a privileged 4-year-old lives.\nWhat begins as a job shuttling little Grayer X from French lessons to tennis to various play dates becomes an all consuming job. Her responsibilities shift from being the caregiver of Grayer to the ombudsman of the X household. Not only does Nanny begin taking on the role of chef, but she also helps Mr. X conceal his extramarital affair and Mrs. X maintain her sanity.\nAll of this time she now spends with her family is at the expense of her family, new boyfriend -- lovingly dubbed Harvard Hottie -- and studies. All of the sacrifices she makes, however, seem to be ignored by the X adults, who are so self-absorbed they do not notice the effort and time Nanny puts forth.They treat her like furniture, paying her erratically and requiring services above and beyond the call of duty.\nThe frustration that builds during the entire novel comes to a head when Nanny 'accompanies' the family on a vacation to Nantucket. What is supposed to be a family trip turns into a clash between Mr. and Mrs. X, who are both tiptoeing around their anger over the affair. While Nanny is nothing but helpful, she ends up being dismissed at the end of the trip because Mrs. X feels that her heart is no longer into her duties.\nMcLaughlin and Kraus have created a diabolically funny novel laying the follies of the rich and idle out on the table. You want to cringe every time you see a note from Mrs. X, who has the audacity to think about getting a studio to get away from the son she never cares for. "The Nanny Diaries" paints an incredibly unflattering portrait of the rich who cannot be bothered to take care of their own children.\nThough incredibly funny, you cannot help but to feel pity for the children the nannies are charged with. They cry and scream for their parents, and instead of being rewarded with a hug from their mom they get shoved off onto hired help, a move Nanny aptly calls "The Spatula." The kids aren't disciplined and behave in ways that would get an ordinary child sent to their room for months.\n"The Nanny Diaries" is a page-turner that is perfect for a lazy day on the beach or in your favorite chair. You can't wait to see what audacious things the X's have done to each other, their child and Nanny. It is an excellently written novel with characters that I can only hope are caricatures of the idle rich; if there really are parents out there like Mr. and Mrs. X, I feel for their children.