Super “Nanny”

Among the five books shortlisted for this year's Albertine Prize—intended to “introduce American readers to contemporary French literature in translation”—is The Perfect Nanny, composed by Moroccan author Leïla Slimani (and translated by Sam Taylor). Firmly in the category of suspense fiction, The Perfect Nanny’s plot is described this way by Albertine Prize organizers:

When Myriam, a French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return to work after having children, she and her husband look for the perfect nanny. They never dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite, devoted woman who sings, cleans and stays late without complaint. But as the couple and the nanny become more co-dependent, jealousy and resentment mount.

Building tension with every page, The Perfect Nanny is a riveting and bravely observed exploration of power, class, race, domesticity, and motherhood.

“The Albertine Prize is presented by Van Cleef & Arpels and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy ...,” explains Mystery Fanfare. “From April 4 to 30, readers all over the world will be able to vote on Albertine.com for their favorite book among the selected titles. On June 5, the winning book will be announced at Albertine Books in New York City.”