The book takes us through Andrea’s initial enthusiasm at “Runway”, progressively degenerating into an effort at maintaining a life outside work, and her sanity in the face of Miranda’s overt hostility. Finally however, Andrea must decide between her desire to gain a foothold in the journalism industry via Miranda, or her rapidly reducing flock of friends and concerned family.
Andrea seemed a real character with flaws, and very human (detests being made to wear 4 inch heels every day, while gallivanting around fetching Miranda’s coffee), and I’m guessing that she and the author think as one. Other characters which feature in the book are Alex, Andrea’s patient boyfriend, Lily her best friend, and Emily, Miranda’s senior assistant and devoted slave. Andrea’s worried parents and family also influence Andrea’s life, health and sanity for the better.
This is clearly a “rant” book, Miranda Priestley, as per rumors, is based on Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, although Weisberger denies it. At one time, Lauren Weisberger, apparently worked as an assistant for her. When this book came out, it created a furore in the fashion industry, and the “New York Times” ran not one but two reviews ripping the book to shreds. I really don’t care if this is a rant, it’s a very interesting rant, and even though I have scant interest in the fashion industry, I enjoyed it. And really, if Wintour is such a nasty piece of work, kudos to Weisberger for getting it off her chest and profiting financially too!