Myriam and Paul have two small children and live in central Paris. When Myriam is offered the chance to return to work as a lawyer she is determined to do so as long as she and Paul can find a trustworthy and reliable nanny.
Louise comes to them with impeccable references and has a natural rapport with their children. In addition, she's a gourmet cook who loves cleaning and organising their home - Myriam and Paul are thrilled, the children love her, their friends are jealous, and before too long Louise has become an integral part of the family, even holidaying with them.
But as the couple become more and more dependent on The Perfect Nanny, Louise's life is unravelling and she becomes increasingly strange and overbearing. Resentment and suspicions mount on both sides culminating in a nightmare scenario.
This was a short book that I devoured in one sitting. It was well written (and translated) and I loved how it caught the nuances of the French way of life. It brilliantly captured the differing backgrounds of all the characters and touched on issues of race and class. The ending was a little abrupt, which some readers have had issues with, but I liked the book so much that it didn't bother me.
The Perfect Nanny won the Prix Goncourt (a literary award much like the Booker) in France when it was first published. I can totally see why, Leila Slimani has written my favourite thriller/suspense of the year so far.
Highly recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment