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A review by angelicathebookworm
Lullaby by Leïla Slimani
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The novel has a compelling premise and a hooking opening. It's also very well written and is layered with an incredible amount of detailed subtext all of which I enjoyed. Slimani has also done a great job of evoking the right emotions throughout the text and in a way that’s not overly dramatic. I also enjoyed seeing the theme of societal division of work which appeared in the novel as well as reading about Moroccan immigrants in France as it’s not something I’ve read much about before, particularly in thrillers. There is also some intriguing social commentary embedded within the text and also some subtle explorations of racial tensions within France. The disturbing character of the nanny, Louise, is inspired by the real-life story of the murder of the Krim siblings which I discovered after reading and found this fact really fascinating. Slimani really does a great job in the portrayal of the character of Louise throughout the narrative which is a huge positive point as the novel is character-driven as opposed to being driven by plot.
It’s important to keep in mind that this novel is a translation so there is always the possibility that the novel could be read quite differently if you were to read it in French. I haven’t read much translated fiction yet but I did think this one was done well although it did read slightly clunky in places. I didn’t find the novel particularly thrilling or suspenseful as I was expecting, considering it’s described as a thriller, but rather quite eerie and slightly unnerving so overall I felt a little underwhelmed. That being said, it is more of a domestic thriller and so the more subtle eerie atmosphere created is somewhat realistic. Additionally, I did find the pacing to be quite slow and the majority of the other characters quite unremarkable which isn’t much of a surprise seeing as the novel centres mostly around daily life and the interactions between the various characters. I would also like to add here that we, the readers, are also left to draw many of our own conclusions at the end of narrative which isn’t so much a personal criticism but rather something worth pointing out to potential readers as it can be more of a specific preference.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
It’s important to keep in mind that this novel is a translation so there is always the possibility that the novel could be read quite differently if you were to read it in French. I haven’t read much translated fiction yet but I did think this one was done well although it did read slightly clunky in places. I didn’t find the novel particularly thrilling or suspenseful as I was expecting, considering it’s described as a thriller, but rather quite eerie and slightly unnerving so overall I felt a little underwhelmed. That being said, it is more of a domestic thriller and so the more subtle eerie atmosphere created is somewhat realistic. Additionally, I did find the pacing to be quite slow and the majority of the other characters quite unremarkable which isn’t much of a surprise seeing as the novel centres mostly around daily life and the interactions between the various characters. I would also like to add here that we, the readers, are also left to draw many of our own conclusions at the end of narrative which isn’t so much a personal criticism but rather something worth pointing out to potential readers as it can be more of a specific preference.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror and Blood