The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger follows recent college graduate Andrea “Andy” Sachs as she moves to New York City with her best friend Lily, determined to break into the competitive world of publishing. After blanketing the city with her résumé and facing rejection after rejection, Andy finally lands what many consider the opportunity of a lifetime: a job “a million girls would die for” as the junior personal assistant to the formidable Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of the fictional high-fashion magazine Runway. What begins as a stepping stone into the publishing industry quickly spirals into a demanding, all-consuming role that tests Andy’s ambition, integrity, and relationships. As she becomes more entrenched in the glamorous yet cutthroat world of fashion, her personal life begins to unravel, leaving her to question how much she’s willing to sacrifice for her career.
When The Devil Wears Prada hit theaters, I knew I had to see it, and I wasn’t disappointed. The film adaptation was sharp, entertaining, and completely captivating. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately went online to see if a sequel was in the works. Over the years, there have been rumors of a follow-up film, but it seems the original cast has felt that nothing could truly top the success and chemistry of the first movie. During that search, I was surprised to discover that the beloved film was actually based on a novel. Naturally, I ordered a copy of the book, eager to dive deeper into Andy Sachs’ story and the world of Runway magazine.
Reading the novel did answer a few lingering questions I had after watching the movie, which I appreciated. I understand that when adapting a book into a film, certain scenes, subplots, and characters inevitably get trimmed or combined. Still, I found it surprising just how many additional characters and storylines appeared in the book. Several roles were merged for the movie, while others were eliminated entirely. While that expansion could have enriched the reading experience, I found that it ultimately slowed the pacing rather than enhanced it.
Unfortunately, despite my high expectations, I was extremely disappointed with the book. I struggled to stay engaged and often had to push myself to keep turning the pages. At times, the story felt repetitive and dragged on, lacking the wit, charm, and tight storytelling that made the movie adaptation so memorable. This is one of the rare instances where I genuinely believe the film surpasses the source material. If you’re debating whether to read The Devil Wears Prada after loving the movie, my honest recommendation would be to stick with the film. The novel, in my opinion, feels painfully slow in places and doesn’t deliver the same sparkle.
Because I found the first book so underwhelming, I was hesitant when the sequel, Revenge Wears Prada, was released. Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to give it a try. You’ll have to stay tuned to see what I thought about that one. As for now, I don’t see myself reaching for another novel by Lauren Weisberger anytime soon, though I won’t say never. Maybe one day I’ll give her work another chance. Overall, I rated The Devil Wears Prada two out of five stars.
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