Review: The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani
Published by Penguin on January 9, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Women, Fiction, Literary, Psychological, Thrillers
Pages: 240
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher (egalley)

Though Myriam loves being a mother, she craves the ability to work full-time again.  When she and her husband begin their quest to find a nanny, they are thrilled to find Louise.  Louise is a kind, devoted women who goes beyond what is requested of her.  She cleans the couple's apartment and doesn't complain when Myriam's position as a lawyer requires her to work late.

Yet, when Myriam finds herself depending on Louise more and more, and Louise becomes dependent on her time with the family as well, the perfect situation begins to crumble, with horrific consequences.

I discovered this title after listening to the NPR program “Fresh Air.”  Described as a book that was difficult to recommend, given the subject matter, I was instantly captivated.  There’s no spoilers; you learn the premise of the book in the first few lines:

“The baby is dead. It took only a few seconds.”

What the reader doesn’t know, immediately, is the identity of the killer.  Within a few chapters of reading, that is easily discerned.

It’s obvious to understand why this is a book that his hard to recommend.  So why is a title so many have been drawn to?  In my humble opinion, it’s Slimani’s expert reveal and build up of this incredibly tumultuous and deadly relationship.  She flashes back to a more perfect time, and then even further back to Louise’s past. Though she doesn’t cut any corners in her descriptions of Louise’s actions, she uses that same level of detail to mold the characters before the readers eyes.

Many of shunned this title due to the subject matter. Going in, what can you expect, given the title? There is no perfect nanny….and if you do find one, be watchful of the dark secrets that lay below the surface.  Highly, highly recommended…with warning.