Lullaby by Leila Slimani

Lullaby, also known as The Perfect Nanny, is another novel that has been particularly lauded this year. The short narrative centres around aspirational lawyer Myriam on her return to work, where she and her husband Paul thrust their two small children Mila and Adam into the care of Louise. Louise, as titles may suggest, seems to be the perfect nanny. She is motherly and cares for them as if they were her own, and to Myriam and Paul’s surprise and embarrassment, and later, reliance, cooks their meals and cleans their tiny “stifling” Paris apartment before Louise creeps back to her own, cold and decrepit apartment to savour limited hours of sleep before she starts the cycle again. Inevitably, Louise and the families’ lives become entwined, working hours become blurred and job description thrown aside to help them out in any way she can. The crux, as we find in the first sentences of the book, is that Louise has killed the two children in her care.

The writing style is simple – if this is a stylistic decision then it is effective. It has the effect of telling you about events and therefore leaving you to draw your own conclusions. Slimani trusts her reader and does not fill your head with opinion. Due to the simplicity of language, the emotions conveyed through simple acts came through fiercely. I can still imagine how it would feel for Louise when Myriam gives her hand me down clothes, the gratefulness tinged with embarrassment, and due to sparseness and simplicity, the scenes of flirtation between Paul and Louise are drenched in tension. This sexual tension was unexpected and I also respect the fact it wasn’t explored further as to be cliché – the breadwinner husband with the nanny. However, conversely, there is the possibility that the straightforwardness is derived from the fact it is a translation. On the other hand, Slimani has captured Paris well, and the exploration of family dynamics was interesting – they were believable characters you become invested in and watch develop, although I could not say whether I liked or disliked any character particularly.

Overall, whilst it has received rave reviews, I feel that it was a really exciting premise that wasn’t really delivered on. Where the conclusion of the book is discovered in the explosive first pages, the writer didn’t really have anywhere to go – and while the simple, sparse language grounded the book in reality, it also meant that there were no twists and turns to keep us occupied. The middle section seemed lost with little structure or action to propel you through, as the momentum has been taken away by the revelation. However, conversely, you may find that lack of absurd twist and turns make the realism all the more horrifying. The ending is unresolved and dis-satisfactory – to me, to drive me through, Slimani would have needed to delve into Louise’s psyche and answer questions about her past. I also found it troubling that this was based upon real events – I do not know how respectful this is.  On the other hand, whilst I was expecting a gripping and fast paced thriller and was disappointed, the exploration of themes surprised me, and the author navigates class, race and wealth.