Helpful Score: 7
a satire about an American girl with a college degree in search of the perfect job...some parts are really funny and I could picture people I have met in the professional world as some of the characters...by the authors of The Nanny Diaries
Helpful Score: 7
I thought this book was utterly third-rate. the authors' attempt to criticize high society ended up only revealing their own vapid materialism. i was embarrassed for them even as i read it
Helpful Score: 6
This is the story of Girl navigating her way through getting a start in Corporate America after college graduation. While over the top with some horrendous bosses, the experiences ring true on many levels and answers that burning question of 'what am I willing to compromise for a job in order to pay the bills?'
Helpful Score: 5
Good book for anybody who love The Nanny Diaries or Devil Wears Prada. This book deals with a girl reporter trying to make good in the big city.
Helpful Score: 5
Hard to follow and understand at times. I got so angry at the main character for allowing everyone to walk all over her, and not saying anything. I was not impressed!
Helpful Score: 5
I found this hard to get into - the characters weren't engaging and I skimmed the last part of the book.
Helpful Score: 4
I can't believe I read this whole book. What a waste.
Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed the Nanny Diaries and loved Dedication, but this book was a waste of my time. I thought the concept was interesting, but it just failed to deliver. Still 2 out of 3 isn't bad, I'll still with Nanny Diaries and Dedication, and pretend Citizen Girl didn't happen.
Helpful Score: 4
Here's how I reviewed this book on Amazon:
After looking through all the reviews, I'm left with the feeling that a lot of readers didn't "get" this book. Tons of reviewers have called it "unrealistic" - it's a satire! It's not supposed to be completely realistic. And even so, I don't think that there was anything that happened in the book that made me think, "No way, that would NEVER happen!" Sure, some situations and characters were a little far-fetched, but there was nothing that was completely impossible. And as I said, it's a satire! Do you think Jonathan Swift really intended to eat babies? (That's not to say that these authors should be compared to Jonathan Swift, but you know what I mean.)
There are a few legitimate complaints that I do have about this book, though. The first is the writing style, which I found to be confusing and clunky. There were a number of times where I had to reread sections two or three times before I understood what was going on. I will also agree with the reviewers who said that the characters lack depth. On top of that, there were some characters that I was interested in who would disappear on an off (Jack, Buster) without any real explanation. And then there were really unnecessary characters whose purpose I couldn't figure out (Buster's friends, Stacey.) I enjoyed the storyline and felt that I could relate to Girl on some level, which is why I gave the book three stars, but I really feel that this story could have been SO much more than it turned out to be. This seems like the first draft of a really great novel, in my opinion.
After looking through all the reviews, I'm left with the feeling that a lot of readers didn't "get" this book. Tons of reviewers have called it "unrealistic" - it's a satire! It's not supposed to be completely realistic. And even so, I don't think that there was anything that happened in the book that made me think, "No way, that would NEVER happen!" Sure, some situations and characters were a little far-fetched, but there was nothing that was completely impossible. And as I said, it's a satire! Do you think Jonathan Swift really intended to eat babies? (That's not to say that these authors should be compared to Jonathan Swift, but you know what I mean.)
There are a few legitimate complaints that I do have about this book, though. The first is the writing style, which I found to be confusing and clunky. There were a number of times where I had to reread sections two or three times before I understood what was going on. I will also agree with the reviewers who said that the characters lack depth. On top of that, there were some characters that I was interested in who would disappear on an off (Jack, Buster) without any real explanation. And then there were really unnecessary characters whose purpose I couldn't figure out (Buster's friends, Stacey.) I enjoyed the storyline and felt that I could relate to Girl on some level, which is why I gave the book three stars, but I really feel that this story could have been SO much more than it turned out to be. This seems like the first draft of a really great novel, in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 4
Cute, a bit confusing with the clever names, Girl, Guy, My Company, but a fun quick read!
Helpful Score: 2
Totally bored me to death. I only read a chapter & a half, which was more than I thought I'd get through.
I would consider reading another book by these authors, but the story line in this one put me to sleep.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
'Nuff said. :)
I would consider reading another book by these authors, but the story line in this one put me to sleep.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
'Nuff said. :)
Helpful Score: 2
Not nearly the caliber of McLaughlin's and Kraus' first book. However, the authors have a gift for character development; it is easy to relate to the way the main character feels. I thought of the characters as real people long after I finished reading the book. I had to remind myself that they are, in fact, just characters in a novel. Im still a fan of The Nanny Diaries but would not recommend Citizen Girl.
Helpful Score: 2
Don't know why I waited so long to read this likable chick-lit. Girl is a gutsy young woman trying to make her way in New York when her need for employment and her values are in direct opposition. Engaging read.
Helpful Score: 2
I really wanted to read this book after reading the back cover description. I thought the novel was about me: "Working in a world where a college degree qualifies her to make photocopies, 24-year-old Girl is struggling to keep up with the essentials: food, shelter and student loans. So when she finally lands the job of her dreams she ignores her misgivings and concentrates on getting the job done... whatever that may be." That's totally me; I'm even 24.
But then I started reading, and there where parts where I just couldn't keep up. Too much girl lingo I'm not familiar with. Trying too hard to make the character desperate. Only worst-case scenarios. Too chick lit.
But then I started reading, and there where parts where I just couldn't keep up. Too much girl lingo I'm not familiar with. Trying too hard to make the character desperate. Only worst-case scenarios. Too chick lit.
Helpful Score: 2
Thought the book was interesting, but not as good as the Nanny Diaries
Helpful Score: 1
i was actually irritated at myself for reading the whole thing. emma and nicola do give give hope to new writers, however. apparently, anything can get published!
Helpful Score: 1
Starts out like the chick lit version of Office Space. Laugh out loud funny in the beginning and then turns into typical chick lit (but still very good). This is a great story and I look forward to more from these authors.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun book to listen to. Books on tape are great for my long drive to work, and this was one of the better ones to listen to. Same authour as the Nanny Diaries, and read by the author.
Helpful Score: 1
Cute book, good satire on being a young post-collegiate woman trying to get by in the Manhattan working world as she desperately tries to hold onto her ethics.
Helpful Score: 1
I just couldn't get into this book and quit about half way through
Helpful Score: 1
Good story - unexpected ending. I found myself creating reasons to go for a drive so I could hear more of the story.
Very disappointed in this book. I prefer "The Nanny Diaries" more. I was annoyed by the main character's name. Hard story to get through.
After reading the Nanny Diaries (and loving it), I eagerly got this book and started reading it but I never finished it. I just couldn't get past the first chapter. Unfortunately, it was that bad.
Really tried to like this book..couldn't get past first 75 pages. If you enjoy chick lit, you may enjoy this book. I personally did not though.
I had a hard time getting through this book. I enjoyed their first book better
Great reading, it´s fun and hits really close to home.
I knew from the first page this book was going to be a dud, but I read until about page 120 before I packed it in. I loved both the "Nanny" books as well as "Dedication" but this book was a definite miss. This book was boring, lacked direction and even got confusing at times (one second she's in a room and the next standing out on the street, wait...what?) I didn't care about "Girl" (it's hard to connect to someone with no name- I hope the authors stop this practice of the generic naming, it worked in Nanny Diaries, it failed miserably here!) Now I know why I waited so long to pick up this book, I should have listened to everyone who told me how awful it was!
This book was disappointing. It wasnt as good as the Nanny Diaries. It frustrated me that the characters weren't even given a name, and the compnay. Shows lack of creativity.
The WORST book I have ever read!
i wasnt all that impressed with this book. not really sure why but its def not one i would read again.
A second novel from the Nanny Diaries authors. This is a funny look at twenty-something career building.
Cute read. Page-turner one you're involved with the story.
A quick and easy read by the authors of The Nanny Diaries. If you liked that one, you will like this one.
this book is fun, fresh, contemporary story of a young girl living in NY City.
By the author of the Nanny Diaries, quick read.
Some moments were dead-on and very funny but the book was unnecessarily vulgar. Not as good as The Nanny Diaries which I thought was terrific.
ok, not really my kind of humor
GREAT book!
Didn't finish this book, so I don't feel qualified to rate it.
