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The Devil Wears Prada (by Lauren Weisberger)

common sense media says

Amid fun details, teens might miss message.

parents & educators say
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book -- which is now a movie by the same name -- provides teens a more than adequate glimpse into the shallow world of top fashion. Characters aspire to be skeletally thin and look down upon anyone wearing clothes off the rack. The protagonist's boss also berates her abilities and criticizes her physical appearance in ways that are shocking, blunt and deliberately hurtful. Young women and men drink excessively, to the point of injury; have casual sex; and at times swear like sailors.

Positive messages: Questionable message about female body image throughout. Also, main character sacrifices dignity to follow orders of arrogant boss.
Violence: Main character's best friend is in a car accident when drunk and ends up in coma.
Sex: In the context of the story, a 20-something girlfriend sleeps with boyfriend, another has multiple casual sex partners. Other characters describe gay sexual relationships and sleeping with someone while away for the weekend. Descriptions of "hard" bodies.
Language: F--k, S--t, Goddamn, Loser, Bitch.
Consumerism: Designer names everywhere, Starbucks, hotel names, restaurants, etc.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking as social activity. Drunk friend in auto accident. Reference to smoking crack.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Devil Wears Prada

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the allure of this book. Why has it been such a success? Is the author trying to have it both ways by attracting readers with the same glitz she claims to be criticizing? Given that the author really worked at Vogue under Anna Wintour, is it fair to write with such disdain about a real experience and a real person? Is this book fiction -- or a stab in the back?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Recent college graduate Andrea Sachs lands a job as assistant to editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly at fashion's top-notch Runway magazine. Though she knows nothing about fashion, she hears that this is a stepping stone to any job in the publishing world.

She endures verbal abuse, running mundane errands for Miranda, party planning, babysitting, and along the way feels very sorry for herself. Her friend Lily and boyfriend Alex are slipping away from her as she starts to become more entrenched in the fashion world.

She ends up flying with Miranda to Paris for fashion week only to learn of Lily's near death, alcohol-induced accident. When confronted by Miranda, Andrea finally gives it to her and leaves Paris and the job.

She ends up connecting with a editor of a magazine who is a former Miranda assistant, but more importantly learns a valuable coming-of-age lesson.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Protagonist Andrea Sachs is learning a life-long lesson about the ultimate virtue in being true to yourself despite potential professional sacrifices. Adult readers know this from the start. But teens curious about the world of New York fashion and this look into the inner operations of clothing designers, stylists, models, and photographers may be too caught up in the glitz to catch the author's point.

The book has a fun premise, but it's a complicated choice for teens, who may miss out on the message embedded here. Unfortunately, by the time the main character does learn her lesson, she has become fairly unsympathetic.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: July 31, 2006
Number of pages: 360
Hardcover price: $21.95
Paperback price: $13.95
Read Aloud: 15
Read Alone: 15
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

xdeathangelx
teen, 16 years old
11
 
boring for all ages
This is an amazingly boring book, after I read the first two pages I wanted to throw it out. It also said the word (the right way), "fruck" in there a lot and I just want to tell all parents that you should'nt band a book from children because of language. They are going to learn it sooner or later.
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softball34
teen, 16 years old
 
This was really good!!
This book was a very good read for me. For younger kids, probably not a good idea. Many foul words enrich the pages of the book. Alcohol is often drunk at the parties. Name brand products are what the book is made from. Chanel, gucci, jimmy choo, and those are just listing a few. All in all though, I enjoyed reading the book.
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Abbyrae11256
kid, 13 years old
12
 
OKAY
It is okay the book is good the movie...ahhh!!
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gymnast
teen, 15 years old
 
I loved this book.
This is one of my favorite books ever. I read it three times. I could not put it down. Some chilren may not comperhend the story line if not older. I can tell that the book was created for an older aduiance.
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ShelbyBubbles
adult
 
Fantastic
This book was fantastic and SOOO juicy. If you love fashion, you will love this book. However, it is definately not for kids, since it has a lot of cursing, sex, partying, drinking, smoking, and even a few drug references. If you're a teenager though, it's a must read.
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CSM Screen ...
teen, 16 years old
 
Wow
I read this book last year and absolutley LOVED it. They tend to swear a lot though, but other than that it was good
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tennistay94
teen, 16 years old
 
It's a great book, but the use of rude language is quite extensive. Appropriate for teens 13 and up. Great book though!
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HinataHyuuga
teen, 15 years old
 
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helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
cvt75@aol.com
teen, 16 years old
 
LOVED IT
amazing acting and everything else that could be amazing! a definate perfect choice for ANY occasion!
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