The Ivy Chronicles Audiobook By Karen Quinn cover art

The Ivy Chronicles

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The Ivy Chronicles

By: Karen Quinn
Narrated by: Julia Gibson
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Fans of New York Times best seller The Nanny Diaries will rejoice in this wickedly hilarious novel, which acclaimed author Katharine Weber says is "much funnier and darker". Optioned for a major motion picture starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, The Ivy Chronicles skewers the twisted priorities of America's well-heeled elite.

Ivy Ames, 40-something mother of two, loses her high-flying job (to downsizing) and her husband (to their neighbor) in the same day. To pay for her daughters' private schooling, she starts a new business helping wealthy Manhattanites get their resume-toting youngsters into the best kindergartens. Soon her clients include media moguls, mob bosses, and a lesbian couple that believes their adopted African-American disabled son is "the triple crown of diversity" who schools will clamor to enroll.

Prepare to laugh uncontrollably, and possibly be a little frightened, by this witty look at our sometimes preposterous society.

©2005 Karen Quinn (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire Women's Fiction Comedy Funny Witty Feel-Good

Critic reviews

"A guilty pleasure worth indulging." (Booklist)
All stars
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I loved this book. Not only is the story extremely entertaining (as well as totally ridiculous) but the narrator does an amazing job of interpreting the story. If you are looking for a really fun, light and entertaining listen, this is the book for you.

Laughed Out Loud

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I've seen this one compared to the Nanny Diaries, but I have to say the Ivy Chronicles is much darker, and funnier. You have to have a slightly twisted sense of humor to enjoy this one, and since I do, it's one of my favorites.

Darker and funnier.

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This is a fun story about a woman who is down on her luck and pulls herself up to remake herself. She thought life would be one way and found out that you never know what you're going to get. What I really liked was how real Ivy was. She was not the "perfect" heroine. She was flawed but recognized it. In the end she comes out on top. Not the way she thought she would but on top, nonetheless.

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

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There seems to be no middle ground on this book and this reading. I thought it was a stitch but can understand why some were not able to relate to it. It may appeal to women more than men; it also may seem more real if you understand that this competitive world for kindergarden placement truly exists. However, condemning the book because the heroine makes some bad moral choices is taking life and one's reading material too serious. This is fiction, folks, not religion and fiction this reader found very funny.

Love it or hate it

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This is my type of book. Flow perfect, character development perfect. suspense perfect. Not only a multiple listen but my only disappointment is....

There was supposed to be a movie based on this book and YEARS later, it has yet to be released. What happened to the movie? Well in the meantime, it still have my audio-book.

I have listened to this one at least four times.

YES YES YES!!

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I enjoyed this book. Great reader and story.

Fun Listen!

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Never tired of it. Would listen again. I'll Probably buy the book

Great Listen

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Where does The Ivy Chronicles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Oh, top 20...easy to listen as you water your plants.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ivy Chronicles?

When Ivy was fired.

What about Julia Gibson’s performance did you like?

Nice voice, captured the character.

Who was the most memorable character of The Ivy Chronicles and why?

Well, Ivy of course. Talk about bad luck!

Can you say...don't give up??

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Would you try another book from Karen Quinn and/or Julia Gibson?

I think so, really easy to listen to while your doing something else

Was The Ivy Chronicles worth the listening time?

Yes, it was funny and sweet. Not to complicated.

Light Fluff

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It was ok for a weekend drive. Part kind of funny but nothing great.

OK

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