What I've Been Reading: Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

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The long-awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, The Devil Wears Prada 2, is now out in theaters, so naturally I had to purchase Revenge Wears Prada and read it before going to watch the movie with my girlfriends. Basically, almost 10 years have passed since the events of the last book, and Emily and Andy are now working together as partners and friends on a glam wedding magazine they built from scratch, called The Plunge.

From the Simon & Schuster website's book description:

Almost a decade has passed since Andy Sachs quit the job “a million girls would die for” working for Miranda Priestly at Runway magazine—a dream that turned out to be a nightmare. Andy and Emily, her former nemesis and co-assistant, have since joined forces to start a high end bridal magazine, The Plunge, which has quickly become required reading for the young and stylish. Now they get to call all the shots: Andy writes and travels to her heart’s content; Emily plans parties and secures advertising like a seasoned pro.

Having read The Devil Wears Prada back when I was a teenager obsessed with Vogue, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan, I felt like the first book was written exactly for girls like me. I was young, slender, and obsessed with fashion. Now that I'm nearing my 40s with a bachelor's degree in English literature, what do I think about the sequel?

Revenge Wears Prada: A Critical Look

While I enjoyed the book for the most part, I didn't relate to it like I did with the first book back in the early 2000s (has it really been that long?!). First of all, my dreams of being a fashion designer were dashed when I discovered I absolutely hate sewing after a brief stint in a fashion design program.

Second, I'm no longer the vain, thin person I was back then. I am happy with how my body has matured and appreciate my curves. What does this have to do with Revenge Wears Prada? The book is SO fatphobic! The main characters are so obsessed with looks and being thin. Emily is always portrayed as judging Andy when she gains weight, and Andy herself talks so disparagingly about her own body. It's really disheartening to read this book with a critical eye now that I have studied literature, not just as fluff reading.

I still enjoy fashion and designer pieces, but I've stopped idolizing them and now focus on quality instead of flashy stuff. I can spend big bucks on designer pieces that I know will last me (this is called being practical, and I'm sticking to my excuse for investing in expensive items), but now I don't buy them just because they're trendy or to show off the brand.

So what did I like? The fact that Andy matured and grew as a character. Her priorities changed, and she wasn't willing to sell herself in order to get ahead. Without giving much away, I also appreciated that she was sensible enough to do the right thing when her husband betrays her in a very unexpected way.

Also, the ending was SO sweet and just perfect, albeit totally unexpected. It did feel a bit rushed, though.

I noticed there's a third book, When Life Gives You Lululemons, but I don't think I will be reading it. I'm not interested in Emily and her redemption story. Since she was the most fatphobic character, I'm also not subjecting myself to that mentality.

Rating

I'm giving the book 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the fashion angle and Andy's evolution as a character, but the fatphobia left a sour taste in my mouth. That said, I'm eager to go watch the movie.