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BOOK REVIEW: CONFESSIONS OF A PREP SCHOOL MOMMY HANDLER by Wade Rouse

Thursday, January 31, 2008 by Bethany

I'm a sucker for a little dirt. You know, the insider track to the "behind the scenes" stuff. And Wade Rouse doesn't disappoint in CONFESSIONS OF A PREP SCHOOL MOMMY HANDLER his second memoir.

Sure, sure, he reminds us up front in the Author's Note that he's changed names, combined a few people into one, and even hidden the "real" name of the school he was the PR director for--for what seemed like a life sentence of hell. But still--there's dirt here. Plenty of dirt. And I couldn't put the book down, I was enthralled with this life that is very foreign to what I'd grown up in (as Wade too... he shares the rural upbringing with me).

It all starts in Wade's office at the prestigious, private school "Tate Academy" on the first day of school for the year with a few deep cleansing yoga breaths. That is until the phone rings and he's summoned to the Carpool Lane. I'll warn you now, it all goes down hill from this point. Wade was appointed to handle public relations for the school--but it's no secret his job is to deal with the mommies. In particular the high-profile, rich moms who he terms "Mean Mommies" (or M2s). Or course there are the "Pink Ice Barbies" too (these are the daughters of the M2s, and appropriately wear pink. Always. Just like their mothers. And are quite fond of whispering and the term "Oh. My. God!"

Of course, I can't forget the Queen of the M2s--"Kitsy" Ludington. The source of Wade's pain. And what pain it is! She orders, plays, befriends (sorta), teases, pushes, and well basically makes this poor man's life a living hell. Especially for a man who's gay and playing it straight (the tolerance policy at Tate is officially open, but unofficially, not so much). And that is just one twist in this really twisted tale of high society at a private school where there is more money floating around in clothing than I make in an entire year of working my ass off.

This book was extremely touching, real, and well written--remember it is a memoir. It's from the point of a man trying to make it into the "in crowd." Much like what I spent my entire childhood trying to do. And to be honest--like Wade--a lot of my adulthood and career pursuing as well. And he doesn't give up. Ever.

The book twists and turns through this weird lifestyle giving away not only the secrets of the rich (well, their image anyway) but also through a "coming out" for Wade. And by coming out, I mean, coming out of his shell to be the person he wants to be in his life. I gotta respect the man, it hadn't of been easy dealing with that crowd--gay, straight, man, woman, whatever denomination. It had me chuckling, gasping, and even shouting a few of my own "Oh. My. Gaaawwwwds!"

Here's the official teaser:

On the nights following the Monday Morning Muffins with Mommies, I typically have the same dream: I have come to Tate as a gay man. Passing as a straight man. Who works only with women. And gets abused by mothers. I dream that I write a Broadway play called The Stepford Wives: The Musical. I cast the play first with Barbie dolls, but they just stand there, motionless, staring at me, so I hold auditions, telling the auditioning actresses to pretend to be robotic imitations of real women who have actual hearts and souls and minds of their own. No one gets my concept. I then try and pitch it to movie executives. "It's Victor-Victoria meets The Nanny Diaries meets The Crying Game meets The Devil Wears Prada." I do not get backing for my project. I, do, however, wake up and get to go into work.

Fun hey? I was hooked too. Thanks Wade, for going into work. This book wouldn't have been born without it. [grin] Here's some more fun to check out before you go out and buy the book (or after):

- Wade Rouse's Website