Elements of Style: A Novel Audiobook

" This was a quick read... it reminds me of a TV series like Sex and the City. I loved Wendy's plays and since this book was published after she died, I wanted to read it. I liked "Frankie" a lot.. and figured she might have been fashioned after Wendy herself. "

" I'm not entirely sure what the author's point was for this book. I guess maybe to show the depravity and shallowness of New York socialites? I'm not sure. It also dealt a lot with uncertainly of life in New York after 9/11. Maybe I should think of this as naturalism? I'll decide someday. This wasn't exactly chick-lit, but it seemed to be a close cousin, and it was entertaining on a long car ride. But I was still confused by many choices the characters made. Two characters randomly began an affair, seemingly without warning since they both seemed fairly happily married. Instead, they seemed to act out of boredom. In fact, that seemed to be the motivation for much of the action. I continue to be drawn to these kinds of books for road trips, but I don't think it would have stood up to a print reading. "

" A nice combo of designer fashions, upper west side, 9/11 drama, infidelity, and redemption. "

" I haven't finished it yet but so far it is fantastic! I love Wendy Wasserstein and miss her terribly. The book his hilarious if you are familiar with the private school world or the wealthy Upper East siders in general. If you live in New York City, read this book. "

" It is the Great Gatesby retold in high new York society with a real sense of humor. Proof positive that Janis Ian is right, and love is only for beauty queens and not ugly ducklings. I couldn't put this down it was so good. "

" This was so well-written that I had a hard time putting it down, but I shook my head a lot at the characters. They sort of reminded me of Elle's boyfriend Warner in Legally Blonde. Spoiled, manipulative and self-centered. It's an interesting story, though. "

" what happens to the park avenue set after 9/11? "

" Thought-provoking and disturbing...and be warned, it doesn't have a happy ending! "

" Entertaining, laugh out loud satire of the Upper East Side social set. Great summer read. "

" I like to read these kind of "non-thinking" books every once in a while, but this one was just plain silly - characters were over-the-top and the story was really predictable. "

" Great book from a great presence in American Theatre. This book is what the extremely poorly written "The Emperor's Children" tried to pattern itself after and failed. Wendy Wasserstein is extremely clever and this, her first and only novel before passing away, is a definite must read. "

" such a great book about the lives of women living in the upper class of Manhattan "

" read this in less than 24 hours. loved it. "

" Wickedly funny and desperately sad. "

" It's like candy, a guilty pleasure. Highly entertaining, satirical view of Upper East Side manhattan social circles. A great light subway read! "

" Loved this book! Read for acting class...and worked on performing one of the characters. This book really reminded me of my years living in New York. Also very "Housewives of NYC" if you like that tv show...this is sort of a fictional novel that would feel similar to that. "

" Listened to this one on tape a while back, not too long after Wasserstein's death. She died way too young! Not up to the quality of her plays, but not as terrible as some people here have indicated, either. "

" not my usual choice, but a nice change of pace "

" not overly exciting - but it was interesting to learn about the lives of the elite in New York City - a story that proves money does not buy happiness "

" another one i got on cd. i secretly love chic-lit, although i suppose it isn't a secret any longer, and this book really hit the spot. plus i travel at least two hours back and forth from work daily and this kept me entertained when normally i'd be yelling and swearing at cars. "

" I was really enjoying this book, but sadly I lost it, so I need to go buy it again! "

" This was boring and didn't seem to have a discernible plot. "

" a solid chick-lit read based in NYC "

" Very entertaining and good "light" read. Very gossipy. "

" Just don't. I read this only to avoid talking to a lecherous man sitting beside me on a long flight. "

" There are better books, I think, that discuss this same topic; however, when this was written it was the best thing out there. It does a pretty good job, but it is also a bit outdated now. "

" Light-reading. Witty, girly, but still well written! "

" A classic. This is what to read when you tire of "fashionistas" and "on-trend" and anything affiliated with Kardashians. "

" Loved this book! Read for acting class...and worked on performing one of the characters. This book really reminded me of my years living in New York. Also very "Housewives of NYC" if you like that tv show...this is sort of a fictional novel that would feel similar to that. "

" There are better books, I think, that discuss this same topic; however, when this was written it was the best thing out there. It does a pretty good job, but it is also a bit outdated now. "

" I don't know. It was entertaining enough, good light reading for a flight. But the ending was dissatisfying to me. Rather random with very little resolution. "

" Wickedly funny and desperately sad. "

" Thought-provoking and disturbing...and be warned, it doesn't have a happy ending! "

" Too much like reading the gossip pages -she is perceptive and funny, but I didn't love this. "

" I didn't love it while reading it - I think it's because the characters are not entirely likeable. But the characters stuck with me for awhile. Interesting insight into NYC east side lifestyle. Not a very appealing one - to me anyway. "

" I checked out this audio-book from the library. I was in a hurry and just grabbed the first thing I hadn't heard or read. The reader was good. The subject matter was interesting. Rich New York socialites aren't really my cup of tea, but the characters were interesting. "

" Listened to this one on tape a while back, not too long after Wasserstein's death. She died way too young! Not up to the quality of her plays, but not as terrible as some people here have indicated, either. "

" This is a book focused on the wealthy in NYC who are slaves to getting ahead. I didn't like a single character in the novel. "

" a diverting read because wasserstein's pacing and characters are excellent. the end was too tidy (although not unrealistic) and i ultimately found this somewhat unsatisfying. "