An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Primates of Park Avenue is an “amusing, perceptive and…deliciously evil” (The New York Times Book Review) memoir of the most secretive and elite tribe—Manhattan’s Upper East Side mothers. When Wednesday Martin first arrives on New York City’s Upper East Side, she’s clueless about the right addresses, the right wardrobe, and the right schools, and she’s taken aback by the glamorous, sharp-elbowed mommies around her. She feels hazed and unwelcome until she begins to look at her new niche through the lens of her academic background in anthropology. As she analyzes the tribe’s mating and migration patterns, childrearing practices, fetish objects, physical adornment practices, magical purifying rituals, bonding rites, and odd realities like sex segregation, she finds it easier to fit in and even enjoy her new life. Then one day, Wednesday’s world is turned upside down, and she finds out there’s much more to the women who she’s secretly been calling Manhattan Geishas. “Think Gossip Girl, but with a sociological study of the parents” (InStyle.com), Wednesday’s memoir is absolutely “eye-popping” (People). Primates of Park Avenue lifts a veil on a secret, elite world within a world—the strange, exotic, and utterly foreign and fascinating life of privileged Manhattan motherhood.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Wednesday Martin
Author
Wendy "Wednesday" Martin is an American author and cultural critic who writes and comments on parenting, step-parenting, female sexuality, motherhood, and popular culture. She has written several books and for The New York Times, The Atlantic, Psychology Today, The Huffington Post, Harper's Bazaar, and The Daily Telegraph.
Primates of Park Avenue
by Wednesday Martin
Books Like Primates of Park Avenue
If you're looking for books similar to Primates of Park Avenue, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Devil Wears Prada
Lauren Weisberger
A witty and sharp insider look at the cutthroat world of New York fashion magazines. The novel follows a young woman navigating the demanding and competitive environment of elite professional culture. Like 'Primates of Park Avenue', it offers an anthropological lens into a specific social ecosystem. The protagonist experiences the unwritten rules and power dynamics of a privileged subculture.
Crazy Rich Asians
Kevin Kwan
A satirical look at the ultra-wealthy social world of Singapore's elite. The novel dissects complex social hierarchies and unwritten rules of an exclusive community. Like Martin's work, it offers an insider/outsider perspective on a privileged social ecosystem. The book explores status, wealth, and intricate social dynamics with humor and keen observation.
Rich People Problems
Kevin Kwan
A satirical exploration of ultra-wealthy Asian families and their complex social dynamics. The novel reveals the intricate power structures and unspoken rules of an elite community. Similar to 'Primates of Park Avenue', it offers a humorous anthropological perspective. The book provides insights into wealth, status, and social hierarchies.
Bringing Up Bébé
Pamela Druckerman
An American mother's anthropological exploration of French parenting practices. The book provides an outsider's perspective on a distinct cultural approach to child-rearing, similar to Martin's sociological observations. Druckerman analyzes social norms and unspoken rules of a specific parenting culture with wit and insight. The narrative blends personal experience with broader cultural analysis.
Bridget Jones's Diary
Helen Fielding
A humorous chronicle of a single woman's life in urban society. The novel provides a witty and observational look at social dynamics and personal relationships. Like Martin's book, it offers a comedic yet insightful perspective on social norms. The narrative explores the unwritten rules of personal and professional interactions.
Mommy Wars
Leslie Morgan Steiner
An anthology exploring the complex dynamics between working and stay-at-home mothers. The book reveals the unspoken tensions and social hierarchies within motherhood. Similar to 'Primates of Park Avenue', it offers a sociological perspective on maternal social structures. The collection provides insights into the competitive and judgmental aspects of modern parenting.
The Nanny Diaries
Emma McLaughlin
A behind-the-scenes look at the lives of wealthy Manhattan parents through a nanny's perspective. The book provides a critical and humorous examination of upper-class parenting and social dynamics. Similar to 'Primates of Park Avenue', it offers an anthropological view of privileged urban culture. The narrative reveals the hidden complexities of elite social environments.
Affluenza
Oliver James
A psychological exploration of the impact of wealth on personal and social behavior. James examines the cultural phenomenon of materialism and its psychological consequences. Like Martin's work, it provides a critical analysis of privileged social environments. The book offers insights into the emotional and social dynamics of affluent communities.
Bad Mother
Ayelet Waldman
A candid exploration of modern motherhood and societal expectations. Waldman offers a raw and honest look at the pressures and judgments faced by contemporary mothers. Like Martin's book, it provides a critical examination of parenting culture. The memoir challenges societal norms and unspoken rules of motherhood.
The Trophy Wife
Stacey Grenrock Woods
A humorous and insightful examination of the 'trophy wife' phenomenon in contemporary society. The book explores the social expectations and unwritten rules governing elite relationships. Similar to 'Primates of Park Avenue', it offers a witty anthropological perspective. The narrative reveals the complex dynamics of status and social performance.
No account connected — sign in to comment.