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 70 - Bill Clegg: Part 2
Episode 69 - Bill Clegg: Part 1
Episode 68 - Bill Clegg Trailer: Did You Ever Have a Literary Hero?
Episode 67 - Laura Lippman: Part 3
Episode 66 - Laura Lippman: Part 2
Episode 65 - Laura Lippman: Part 1
Episode 64 - Laura Lippman reads from Wilde Lake
Episode 63 - Vendela Vida on why Fargo beats Parenthood
Episode 62 - Vendela Vida on the real and fictional Patti Smith(s)
Episode 61 - Vendela Vida: Part 4
Episode 60 - Vendela Vida Readng from The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty: Part 2
Episode 59 - Vendela Vida: Part 3
Episode 58 - Vendela Vida on Joan Didion, and Interviews
Episode 57 - Vendela Vida: Part 2
Episode 56 - Vendela Vida: Part 1
Episode 55 - Vendela Vida: Reading from The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty
Episode 54 - David Gates: Part 5
Episode 53 - David Gates: Part 4
Episode 52 - David Gates: Part 3
Episode 51 - David Gates: Part 2
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