Glamorous Disasters: A Novel

by Eliot Schrefer

In the glossy private world of Fifth Avenue teens, some millionaire parents will do, pay, or say anything to help their children ace the SATs.

Noah rose from humble beginnings and, through pure grit and resourcefulness, got himself through Princeton. Now staggering under the weight of massive student loans and dazzled by life in the big city, Noah enters the rarefied field of SAT tutoring in Manhattan, working one-on-one with the spoiled, gorgeous children of the American aristocracy.

He takes on the considerable academic challenges that are Dylan Thayer, a dissipated high school athlete-socialite, and his waifish sister Tuscany. Dylan won’t lift a finger to do anything but pick up a lacrosse stick, and Tuscany is avidly pursuing her own downfall via drugs and relationships with men more than twice her age. But their mother, a self-medicating pediatrician, has ambitious plans for them in spite of their shortcomings—and she has plans for their SAT tutor as well.

Trying to build his own life while living on a shoestring in Harlem and flirting with his beautiful roommate keeps Noah busy enough, but the needs of the glamorous, struggling Thayer kids and the inappropriate advances of their mother prove all-consuming. As deadlines for college admissions near and the SAT tension builds, Noah finds himself presented with a Faustian bargain, and he must make a moral decision that will affect him and his students for years to come.

With echoes of The Devil Wears Prada, The Nanny Diaries, and Bright Lights, Big City, Glamorous Disasters is an incisive portrayal of a small and privileged world, a cautionary tale written by a Harvard grad who was once an SAT tutor himself—an outsider who became a magnificently observant insider.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

336 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 2006

About the author

ELIOT SCHREFER is a New York Times-bestselling author, and has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award. In naming him an Editor’s Choice, the New York Times has called his work “dazzling… big-hearted.” He is also the author of two novels for adults and four other novels for children and young adults. His books have been named to the NPR “best of the year” list, the ALA best fiction list for young adults, and the Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best.” His work has also been selected to the Amelia Bloomer List, recognizing best feminist books for young readers, and he has been a finalist for the Walden Award and won the Green Earth Book Award and Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He lives in New York City, where he reviews books for USAToday.



Also: I love marshmallows and early twentieth century fiction. And apes.

Reviews

[Previous TCL Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although this book has more than a fleeting similarity to The Nanny Diaries, it lacks the voyeuristic fun. Schrefer takes the reader to a world most have not seen, SAT tutoring for the offspring of the extremely wealthy of New York City. While this is a definitely fertile material, the book relies on clichés so heavily that it becomes ordinary. The protagonist is reduced to a morality judge, his students represent every kind of vice an Upper East Side teen has access to. Unfortunately, the plot doesn’t fare much better. The redeeming quality is that it does offer a glimpse into the New York wealthy, beyond that, there isn’t much.

Teton County Library Call No: F SCHREFER
Review by: Susannah Broyles

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few pages are keenly observed and brilliant. The rest is uneven.

While I was reading this novel, I happened to hear of a scandal in NY where students were paying other people to take their SAT exam (a sub-plot in this novel). Always exciting when life and art manage to enhance each other.

However, when the most exciting thing about a novel is a related news article — it's really not working that well.

[Jeffrey G · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is quite dull. It does not really have a story, it just sort of meanders from one boring incident to another. It's mostly people talking or the mc reflecting on what people said when they were talking. There are a few scenes that include some kind of action, but they almost invariably take place "offstage" and are then recounted conversationally after the fact. Bore, bore, bore.

I get the impression that the author does not much like her mc or any of her other characters. That really comes through in the tone of the writing, and it further desiccates a novel that was already dry as dust.

This sort of thing has been done successfully, but usually with large doses of humor or satire. I am thinking of "Anna K." by Jenny Lee, a thoroughly enjoyable read. By comparison, this takes itself way too seriously.

I also take issue with the depiction of the closeted gay character, particularly the scene where he perhaps does or perhaps does not rape a 17 year old boy. I don't know if the author is straight or queer, but it does not matter; if you can't write a character like this compassionately or at least empathetically, then probably you should not write the character at all.

Don't read this.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an unpleasant read… a transparent plot that moves along at an agreeably quick pace. But the narrator/author’s fictionalized proxy is as pretentious and superior as this review is sounding, and none of the characters are particularly complex. Long story short… Nothing surprising or unique here; it was fine, and I probably will have forgotten it entirely in a month.

[Ivannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed the book, noah is a fascinating little creature. but the ending felt like something is missing? some resolution with dylan, there was something there, he listened to noah, he respected noah. may not always like him, but respect him.

[Jaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most admissions lit books are cynical, especially about America's elite. Schrefer's book is more so than many others, though this time the students are more to blame than parents or storied secondary institutions. While this book isn't a feel-good story, it's powerful and thought-provoking.

[Leigh Koonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing plot and interesting characters.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told you I was on an NYC kick. I read this at about the same time as Emperor's Children, but it was completely different. The culture described is something foreign to most of us- children raised in New York City. I can't tell you how ridiculous it is. These kids are often either the poorest or most privileged people you can imagine. And this novel covers that.

About an SAT tutor who works with some of NYC's richest, it follows the life and crime of several teenagers, along with this guy's personal life. Both are on the rocks. He's asked much more of himself than anyone else should ever be, and yet is compelled to deliver. It's funny and an easy read, and while it will probably never be a classic, I'm glad I read it.

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you love/hate the ideas and people of Fifth Avenue New Yorkers - especially the teenagers, you'll enjoy this book. It's very "The Nanny Diaries" but with teenagers and private tutors for the SAT's and other prep exams. One part Drugs, one part clubs, and three parts money! For most part of the book I liked it, but towards the end I really started to enjoy it. Overall it uncovers the privileges of growing up with money and the downfalls of it too.

[Anderse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhere there is a template for over educated but scrappy youth who work for the very, very rich in NYC then write a book about it. This is Nanny Diaries for the HS tutor.
This would have been more interesting if it had been non fiction. As fiction, I just couldn't muster up the Care for any of the characters with the possible exception of the younger girl, Tuscany who is just such a train wreck of spoiled vanity.
Overall, this disaster isn't glamorous and not very well written.

[MB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't decide between 3 stars and 4 stars.

It wasn't immediately enthralling, but the more I read, the harder it was to put this book down. I don't think the comparisons are wrong to say this is almost a follow-up to The Nanny Diaries. What happens to those spoiled kids in high school? Read this book and you'll find out.

Four stars for fascinating insights.

Three stars for an awkward balance between the narrator's life and the lives of his clients.

[Erbrand83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think the world of SAT tutoring meets the world of park avenue nannies, this is a funny quick read that lets you into the world of yet another psycho park avenue wife who has a bad a relationship with her husband and therefore focuses everything on her kids, also an insight on how regardless of where you went to college it is ultimately the class system that decides our fate.

[Carolyn Stanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glamorous Disasters is not as glamorous or as interesting as it sounds. It mostly revoloves around this tutor who tutors very wealthy, spoiled city children. Sounds juicy? It's not. The book was weird and very slow moving. It was like pulling teeth just to get through it. A lackluster ending as well. I was disappointed.

[Jenn Toomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this really how the rich live? Can you really pay someone to take your SAT? Who even takes the SAT? I think it is only an east coast thing, as everyone I know took the ACT. The book is littered with the F word, if you can get past that it was an interesting read and made me think that there is way to many crazies out there, rich or poor!

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was really disappointing. It was poorly written and badly need a better editor. I imagine that the author was trying to quickly cash in on the success of books like The Nanny Diaries. Which might explain why it reads like he wrote it all in one night...possibly after drinking heavily.

[Spencer Jakab · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title says it all ... a disaster. The story has potential and the peek into the lives of spoiled Upper East Side teenagers is a little interesting, but that's about it. Poorly written and filled with two-dimensional characters.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for young adults in their 20s and early 30s who can relate to having college loans and doing what have to do because of those loans. This is not an intellectually stimulating book, but a good summer read when you aren't looking for something with tons of depth.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So not what I thought it would be. Too much language, and I didn't find the main character compelling. I kept reading because I naively thought it would get better. I was extremely disappointed. I love novels about the Upper East Side but this was just kind of bleh.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Best awkward description in a book ever.

Situation: Harvard graduate stunned by how tight the clothes his young 13-14ish tutored girl are

He cites her tank top as being too small for a 5 year old

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

in my opinion, not worth it!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was totally caught up in the Upper East Side world of people who will pay $350 an hour to have someone tutor their children for the SAT. I think teens might like this one, too.

[Matt]

This guy is going to sublet his apartment to my friend this summer. The book looks intriguing...I'll have to get started on it!

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned that the world of SAT prep is much more complicated than I ever imagined! Definitely an interesting subject matter...

[britany · Rating 1 out of 5]

when i finished this book, the first thing i thought was, "i can't believe i read this entire book."

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I adore mindless chick-flick movies, I hate mindless chick-lit. Wasting two hours on something is much different that wasting days.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! It's fun to read - do people really live like that?? It's interesting/entertaining/disturbing.

[kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Couldn't get past the first 100 pages.