Revenge Wears Prada

I recently finished the book "Revenge Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger. In case you've not heard of it and can't tell by the title, it's the sequel to the best selling "The Devil Wears Prada" - which was of course adapted into a 2006 (2006? that long ago???) film of the same name. I read The Devil Wears Prada before the film came out and I loved it. When I saw the film, although small (but expected) changes were made, I loved it too and really felt it did the book justice! Since then Lauren Weisberger has written several books (Everyone Worth Knowing, Chasing Harry Winston, Last Night at Chateau Marmont) which I've all really enjoyed a lot! She's probably my current fave chick-lit author of the moment. That's why I am more than a little disappointed with this latest book. I did not really like it. Any of it. 

Aside from the book itself, there are a few reasons that could further explain why I didn't like it. First, I've read SO many really intelligent, FANTASTIC books lately that perhaps shifting gears to a fluffy chick-lit was easier said than done. Next, perhaps when I read the original book (7 years ago? Really???) I enjoyed it but have since outgrown the story. I will admit I saw the movie not that long ago and enjoyed it so very much... still. One of my issues also was that the history of Andy (the main character aka Anne Hathaway in the movie) was not as I remembered it - maybe again, because of the movie.

Although I think those are good reasons, I think they're more like excuses and I think plain and simple, the book just wasn't that good (but you can keep those reasons/excuses in mind while reading my review). I did not find Andy to be likeable and I can't think of a bigger flaw a book can have than having a main character that isn't likeable! I found her very immature, dramatic, non-sensible, selfish, and for a "smart girl", not all that smart. I found myself getting frustrated with her a fair amount. I also thought the plot in general was a bit weak. I'm not really sure how to summarize it even. The summary on the book is essentially that 10 years have gone by since the first story, and Andy and (old Miranda assistant) Emily have started their own magazine: a wedding magazine called the Plunge. Also that Andy is engaged to marry a handsome, successful man. But on the day of her wedding she finds a letter that has "crushing implications" and "Andy realizes that nothing—not her husband, nor her beloved career—is as it seems." Prior to reading that book that all sounded so exciting, but now I recognize that it sounds too dramatic. It took so long for any story to develop, grow, and be resolved. The ending was also strange and abrupt. Everything seemed to happen in the last 2 chapters. 

So in conclusion (if you didn't guess), I would NOT recommend this read unfortunately. I was ready to love it and I really didn't. Sadly I was most happy when I finished reading it because it was over...oh well, you can't win 'em all!

On to the next! I picked up the rather large read of Stephen King's "Under the Dome". I don't think I've ever read any of his books before (just seen the movies) but I've heard nothing but good and interesting things about this one so I'm pretty excited!