Etienne ’s Reviews > The Perfect Nanny > Status Update

I’m still not that impressed with her writing. I think there’s still too much “telling”. Sentences starting with the word “ She “ are overdone. Too much reliance on narration for me. It looks like this book might fall into the horror genre. To this point , it seems a long way from, say, a Stephen King or Shirley Jackson level of writing. Still early, but I keep wondering about that Prix Goncourt.

Maybe you suspect they wasted a Prix Goncourt? Yes, I agree, Slimani does rely on “telling” rather than “showing;” it weakens her writing. (It might be better in French, but maybe that doesn't matter....) It’s been a minute, but I recall that the "telling" was particularly bad earlier on in the book, before the characters were better fleshed out – but it could just be that her writing isn’t for you (frankly, us – two books were enough for me 😂). Especially since you’re right, there are King and Jackson and other authors at a comparable level out there. ❤

For what it's worth, the tension did seem to build up more later, and I enjoyed the depictions of Paris, so I thought it was worthwhile anyway. In any case, it was a quick read. 😊 But no way does it compare to Jackson!

Ah, I see we are in agreement. I suspected as much since you gave 3 stars. I’m at about 2 stars right now. I see the author is playing up the the old class/culture tension thing, which has been DONE. It feels contrived. And it doesn’t help that I do not like any of the characters, in fact, I detest the whole bougie family, the creepy nanny and her kid. Prix Goncourt? If I’m not mistaken, it’s similar to the Pulitzer Prize? I’m not seeing it so far. I’m having doubts about finishing, as it feels like a major slog.
I see she has a book set in Morocco. That might be better.

Two stars makes sense; overall, it’s about that level, I think. There’s one scene that raised it another star for me, later in the book. The class/culture tension is commendable, if done well – not if it’s contrived. “Detest!”, but that’s fair – the characters aren’t supposed to be likeable, I thought. That was my understanding of the Prix Goncourt! 😊 But sometimes it’s hard to see why literary award judges chose a book – same for Pulitzer, Booker and Noble. (Such as with “Lincoln in the Bardo,” in my opinion.)

Which book did she set in Morocco? Why do you think it’d be better, mon ami? Fingers crossed! 🤞

“In The Country of Others” is set in Morocco, the county she was born in. Perhaps good cultural insight?
I’m pushing on with the book, it’s good to know there is a scene worth a star- thanks, gives a bit of incentive.

If you do read “In the Country of Others,” please let me know – I hope there is good cultural insight, that’d be interesting! (That's a great title, too.) Good luck with “Perfect Nanny!" 😊

Thanks! Will do. ****spoiler****. I just read a scene that I liked, the one in which Louise is walking through the streets of Paris because she was off duty for the weekend. I got a good impression of her isolation and anxiety when not at work. I thought the scene succeeded fairly well. Hope there’s more like that one.

That's great! I hope so, too! 🤞 I'm curious to see if the scene I have in mind strikes you.