April 7, 2008
The Devil Wears Prada
author Weisberger delivers a hilarious, silly and entirely predictable chick lit romp. Book editor Leigh, chef Emmy and wealthy Adriana make a pact to change their disappointing lives within a year. Emmy vows to find the father of her future babies, and Latin temptress Adriana decides to settle on just one of her rich suitors. But Leigh is uncertain about what changes to make; she's lived in the shadow of her legendary literary father and accomplished boyfriend so long, Leigh barely recognizes what makes her happy. The protective wrapping dissolves when she gets the nod to edit bestselling, married author Jesse Chapman—and ends up polishing more than his prose. Emmy—after a year of trying to bed a man from every continent—might discover Mr. Right when he's least expected. As for the relentlessly slothful Adriana, she deflects engagement, but manages to snag something more important. Bookish Leigh defends chick lit as having “sensible structure and coherent language†in a package that's “witty, clever and fun to read.†Weisberger is, of course, also talking about this book, and her assessment is right-on.
August 25, 2008
Lily Rabe throws herself enthusiastically into her narration; she sounds like she’s having a ball, and listeners will, too. Rabe especially has fun with over-the-top Brazilian sexpot Adriana, making melodramatic pronouncements and calling everyone “querida” in a sexy, throaty exotic accent. She’s also great as Emmy, the marriage-and-family–obsessed member of the trio: Rabe’s sobbing, outraged delivery of Emmy’s rant about her boyfriend dumping her for his personal trainer is simultaneously touching and hilarious. Leigh is the “straight man” of the group, but Rabe’s performance conveys her doubts about her engagement realistically and sympathetically. This fun audio brings out the best in the novel. A Simon & Schuster hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 7).