52 pages 1 hour read

Leïla Slimani

The Perfect Nanny

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Further Reading & Resources

Further Reading: Literature

“His Chance in Life” in Plain Tales from the Hills, by Rudyard Kipling (1888).

  • This short story is quoted in the book’s preface, and represents one of Kipling’s most complex explorations of race. In the story, and Indian railway clerk with some British ancestry navigates both class and racial prejudice, ultimately emphasizing his European ancestry to manipulate biases in order to attain a promotion and present himself as a worthy suitor to the woman he loves.

Further Reading: Beyond Literature

“The Perfect Nanny Author on the Dark Side of Motherhood” in The Cut, by Anna Silman (2018).

  • This interview with author Leila Slimani examines various themes treated in The Perfect Nanny, including motherhood and racism.

“‘The Perfect Nanny’ Mirrors the Aftermath of Its Murderous Inspiration” in Pop Matters, by Catherine Ramsdell (2018).

  • This article draws parallels between The Perfect Nanny and the real-world crime it’s based on.

“‘Mothering’: A New Exhibit Examines Motherhood Within the Art World in the 21st Century” in Arts Help, by María Fernanda Torres (2022).

  • This art exhibit review (includes images from the exhibit) shows the darker sides of motherhood explored in The Perfect Nanny.