My goal every summer is to read as many books as I can. Sometimes these books are thought-provoking and emotional--The Bluest Eye. Sometimes they are longer than most--The Help. Sometimes they are a fun summer read--The Outcast. The Devil Wears Prada falls into the last category. I have read Weisberger's modern novel a few times now. I have to admit that I saw the movie first, several years ago. But like most, the novel is a hundred times better.
The Devil Wears Prada follows the story of Andrea Sachs, an employee as a personal assistant at the fictional Runway magazine. Andy is forced to endure some rather difficult and humiliating (to say the least) "tasks" as she hopes to climb her way up the literary world's ladder. Andy must often make the choice of job or her personal life. Some of the scenes have the reader dumbfounded at the ridiculousness of the Runway world.
I often identify with Andy, the narrator and protagonist, graduating from college set on changing the world with her writing. It didn't happen for me either. But at least I don't have to work for a woman like Andy's antagonist: Miranda Priestly. Evil takes the form of a fashionista in Wisberger's imagination. The film version does allow Miranda to have a few redemptive qualities at the end of the story. However, Wisberger's true Miranda is pure evil through and through. Like the true Devil, the novel's "Devil" is very manipulative and seductive in her own way. I even find myself yelling at Andy to stick it out for the perks.
Relationships between characters are the the heart and soul of Weisberger's novel. Andy's relationship with her friend Lily is enough for the reader to evaluate the conflict between career and personal life. Lily is in a downward spiral that Andy excuses and tries to ignore through most of the novel. It is Lily's turmoil that finally makes Andy wake up from her fashion nightmare.
The character of Emily, Andy's co-assistant, is also further developed in the novel. Emily is the only character is able to feel, not only sympathy but empathy for Andy's job. She was Miranda's previous "second" assistant, essentially the "former Andy." Yet, Emily does not often allow Andy to fell sorry for herself. The purpose of Emily's character is to show that Andy is not alone and serve as a foil to Andy. Andy often thinks that Emily has been brainwashed by Miranda and Runway. Yet, Emily is what Andy could become if she succumbs to the "clackers."
While The Devil Wears Prada is not a novel with true literary merit, it is a good summer read. It's fun, light and refreshing. However, due to language, I wouldn't recommend this book to most young adults. Weisberger's writing is meant for an older audience. I am very excited to find and read Weisberger's sequel--Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns.
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