Leila Slimani's second novel Lullaby is a phenomenon. Having sold over 600,000 copies and won the Prix Goncourt in her adopted homeland of France, the book is now spreading around the world in various translations. A movie has begun filming in France and there are rumours of a Hollywood adaptation as well. The reason for the fuss is a plot that grips like a thriller and prose that dissects contemporary life like the most acute literary novel. The nanny of the well-to-do Masse family murders the two children in her care. From this terse, shocking opening, Slimani rewinds to examine the pressures that led up to the tragedy.
In Part One of our conversation at her London publishers, Slimani talks about titles, tragedy, modern parenting, the challenges of being a nanny and how families rely on women from across the world to facilitate their lives.
Part two to follow.
Episode 110 - Kevin Sullivan: Part 3
Episode 109 - Kevin Sullivan: Part 2
Episode 108 - Kevin Sullivan: Part 1
Episode 107 - LS Hilton: Part 2
Episode 106 - LS Hilton: Part 1
Episode 105 - Richard Russo: Part 5
Episode 104 - Richard Russo: Part 4
Episode 103 - Richard Russo: Part 3
Episode 102 - Richard Russo: Part 2
Episode 101 - Richard Russo: Part 1
Episode 100 - Richard Russo reads from Everybody's Fool
Episode 99 - Matt Haig: Part 4
Episode 98 - Matt Haig: Part 3
Episode 97 - Matt Haig Trailer: On Reading vs Depression
Episode 96 - Matt Haig: Part 2 - It's a Writing Life Christmas Special
Episode 95 - Matt Haig: Part 1 - It's a Wonderful Writing Life Christmas Special
Episode 94 - Rebecca Thornton's Writing Life
Episode 93 - Rebecca Thornton: Part 3
Episode 92 - Rebecca Thornton: Part 2
Episode 91 - Rebecca Thornton: Part 1
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