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2nd out of 13 books
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14 voters
The Official Preppy Handbook
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
October 1st 1980
by Workman Publishing
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Read minutely in high school, internalized to such an extent that, upon re-reading it, I am shocked to learn that the values I thought I picked up from trying to be a cool punk rocker (nonchalance, consistency, effortlessness) were instead absorbed from this book, along with detailed advice about what sports to take up (lacrosse, crew), and how many layers to wear on the ski slope (at least five).
Absolutely seminal - presaged the Dorling Kindersley all-sidebars-and-captions layout; influenced t...more
Absolutely seminal - presaged the Dorling Kindersley all-sidebars-and-captions layout; influenced t...more
Totally useful for those who either live in New England, or ever want to visit there.
Or just want a good giggle.
Or both.
Or just want a good giggle.
Or both.
I originally read my dad's copy of this when I was in high school, and remembering that picked this up when I spotted it in one of my local used book stores. Considering this is from the early 1980s, it's worn pretty well. Why? Well one, because Abercrombie & Fitch got revived in the interim (though its prep cred is nothing like it used to be) and two, because prep style is somewhat eternal and unchanging. Most of what I could relate to here as a teenager was pretty much the same elements I...more
I don't know when I first got my hands on this book, though I can't remember life without it. This handbook was my crack during those all-too-awkward pre-teen years. To this day I'm sure my overwhelming knowledge of East Coast boarding schools circa 1984 is disconcerting for those to whom it is somehow revealed, but you give an unbelievably gifted and imaginative ten-year-old girl copies of The Catcher and the Rye, A Separate Peace, and the Preppy Handbook and dare her not to dream.
I'm proud of...more
I'm proud of...more
I had this book in high school - back when it was actually a little bit funny and relevant. I just ran across a copy of it the other day and it jogged my memory. Obviously it's a satire, but I remember at the time it was given to me that I didn't think it was that great. Maybe too over the top for a rural mid-western teen. Maybe it was funnier if you lived on the east or west coast at the time. I understood all the references, just didn't think they were THAT funny.
This is a book of a very specific cultural moment. I forget this sometimes then try to force chinese students to think it's funny like I do. This book will be perpetually funny to anyone that went/goes to prep school or knows old money. Hopefully, you have the distinct pleasure that I have of both being true. You would like to think that some of this stuff would change after over thirty years, but they really haven't.
This is one of my favorite books. It's a shame that it is out of print! It's the definitive commentary on 80s preppy culture. I laugh at the way the preppy lifestyle has evolved into what it is today, with A&F apparel being considered "preppy." That just wouldn't float in The Official Preppy Handbook! I subscribe to the culture and mannerisms of the old preppy definition, not the new faux one today.
Delightful read. This slim paperback on all things preppy is surprisingly funny and illuminating. Writing is very tongue-in-cheek. The only thing I'd say is 30 years later, this book needs a bit of a 21st century updating...which is why I'm embarrassingly excited for its follow-up, True Prep!
What can I say. I think this book may have been meant as a joke but to some of us in the mid 80s it was a Handbook on how to dress, talk, and act. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I used to quote from it and we used it to settle arguments on what was proper and what wasn't.
3 likes · like · see review
This book made me so happy in college. We made so much fun of the preps from Katonah and Greenwich. I can't wait for True Prep to come out. I was inspired to shop Lilly Pulitzer on-line and find my bermuda bag....
May 24, 2010
Christina
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone who enjoys "living the good life"
Shelves:
self-improvement
Basically my favorite book ever. The fashion section's stores are mostly antiquated now, but the information about families and character are completely relevant. Meant as a satire but oh-so perfect to live by.
I mainly remember this one for the list of slang terms for vomit (e.g. "blow donuts", "technicolor yawn"). Lots of fun, and helpful at the time in getting a handle on the world of the frat/sorority types.
The stereotypes in this book are dead-on. It is consistent throughout and a very accurate portrayal of those who live in New England. Not a lot has changed in the 30 years since this was first published.
This book was my fashion and social bible in 8th grade. Read this book from cover to cover many times. I loved the author's sarcastic wit. This book was amazing. A must read American classic!
Funny satire of a culture. Good light reading (read it before falling asleep, because if a book is too gripping/good, I'll just stay up reading), but that's about all it's good for.
I'm not really sure I would recommend this book to anyone, even though it is seriously one of the funniest things I have ever read. But I think it's so funny to me because of growing up in Preppyland, aka Highland Park. I don't know if it would have the same appeal if I grew up somewhere else. But I think Kristi and Kerri would appreciate one particular part of the book, since they knew me in college. "Prep school nurtures the skills that will enable you to slide effortlessly through college." L...more
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Funny. Interesting to understand the Preppy culture, so prevalent in New England. It's the 60s version of 'Stuff White People Like"
I thought this was a hilarious commentary on all things prep. It's very tongue in cheek, and although dated, it was a funny read.
This is probably the funniest book I've ever read. Coming from a preppy family, this really hits home for me.
For nostalgia's sake...I loved this book when I was in high school and smiled when I re-read it recently.
Fun book at the time for those who wanted to decode what Muffy and Biff were thinking, wearing and saying.
Both funny and true. Good for a writer researching a character type or a time period of American culture.
This was my style bible before my unheralded, unmissed Miami Vice period...
This is one of the funniest books I ever read. Witty, descriptive, classic.
Very funny, extraordinarily accurate even today. Accidentally timeless.
So much of the past 10 years since starting college makes sense to me now. I gained a lot of cultural capital from reading this book. Can't wait to read the updated version!
A great satire; very entertaining. A lot of laugh out loud moments.
Defined a moment that is still with us in repercussions.
Recently re-read this book to prepare for True Prep.
"Look, Muffy, a book for us."
Good Times.
Good Times.
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1 trivia question
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“from The Prep Pantheon: An All-Time Great Alumni Association
Caroline Kennedy. Concord Academy ’75. Harvard ’80. On technical points Preppier than Mummy. During four years at Harvard Square, an unnatural fiber never went near her body (except for the shell of her L. L. Bean down vest). Her lacrosse game was ruthless, her brunch technique dazzling (smoked heavily, sat with the descendents of three other presidents).”
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More quotes…
Caroline Kennedy. Concord Academy ’75. Harvard ’80. On technical points Preppier than Mummy. During four years at Harvard Square, an unnatural fiber never went near her body (except for the shell of her L. L. Bean down vest). Her lacrosse game was ruthless, her brunch technique dazzling (smoked heavily, sat with the descendents of three other presidents).”
Sep 09, 2012 10:13pm