The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

1/7/2018

Where would we be if we did not have motherhood/work guilt? Myriam needs to go back to her law job after being at home with her two small children and she feels guilty over missing that part of her life. When she and her husband find Louise she is relieved of that guilt - not only is Louise great with the kids she cooks, cleans and is on call 24/7. Myriam and Paul can entertain, go on vacations and rekindle their marriage. They don't seem to get that Louise lives in a little dumpy apartment alone, doesn't have any friends and basically doesn't have a life that doesn't include her employer and family. Everyone is happy right? Then, the horrific happens and everyone starts questioning the family, other nannies and the neighbors. Twisty, dark and an absolute no-no for anyone thinking of hiring a nanny. The author is French and the setting is Paris but this story has universal appeal.

1 Comment

Katie B. Garner link

2/1/2018 07:47:21 am

I know I'm not alone in being critical of the way in which Myriam is punished for her effort to “have it all.” Still, it is worth examining what other options are available and why many women are forced into a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation when it comes to waged work. I think that it makes the most sense to create more environments that respect the needs of working women and their children.

I have spent nearly a decade researching the mother-nanny relationship and issues with mothering and my PhD work covered many of the issues that Slimani addresses in this novel.

You can read my take here: https://drkatiebgarner.com/2018/01/26/the-perfect-nanny-parable-of-impossibility-of-perfection/

-Katie B. Garner, PhD

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani