A review by bookellys
Lullaby by Leïla Slimani
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
saw this on Between The Covers and thought it sounded like a really good read. The opening sentence hooks you in - you already know that the children are dead, you already know that it was the nanny, Louise, who did it… but why??
The rest of the book let’s you in deeper into Louise’s background, her living conditions, her thoughts and anxieties, and her odd behaviour (that I really don’t understand why Myriam and Paul put up with it to be honest!) but I’m not sure it goes deep enough - I’m still scratching my head a little trying to really understand why? When did the fuse get tripped?
Don’t get me wrong, she always demonstrated some questionable behaviours (the chicken??) but she loved the children and the breakdown of that seemed very sudden. We know she was scared of not being needed but there was the potential of another job with the twins 🤷🏼♀️ I’d also have like to know more about what happened with Stephanie.
All the way through this was a 4 star read fir me, in anticipation of a solid conclusion but the end left me underwhelmed and wanting to know more so a 3 star overall. This is a short book, only 207 pages - I’d have definitely liked a few more!
The rest of the book let’s you in deeper into Louise’s background, her living conditions, her thoughts and anxieties, and her odd behaviour (that I really don’t understand why Myriam and Paul put up with it to be honest!) but I’m not sure it goes deep enough - I’m still scratching my head a little trying to really understand why? When did the fuse get tripped?
Don’t get me wrong, she always demonstrated some questionable behaviours (the chicken??) but she loved the children and the breakdown of that seemed very sudden. We know she was scared of not being needed but there was the potential of another job with the twins 🤷🏼♀️ I’d also have like to know more about what happened with Stephanie.
All the way through this was a 4 star read fir me, in anticipation of a solid conclusion but the end left me underwhelmed and wanting to know more so a 3 star overall. This is a short book, only 207 pages - I’d have definitely liked a few more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child death, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Mental illness