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 50 - David Gates: Part 1
Episode 49 - Writing Life Trailer: David Gates on Donald Trump
Episode 48 - Harry Parker: Part 3
Episode 47 - Harry Parker: Part 2
Episode 46 - Harry Parker: Part 1
Episode 45 - Harry Parker: Reading from Anatomy of a Soldier
Episode 44 - David Mitchell and Michel Faber in conversation: Part 4
Episode 43 - David Mitchell and Michel Faber in conversation: Part 3
Episode 42 - David Mitchell and Michel Faber in conversation: Part 2
Episode 41 - David Mitchell and Michel Faber in conversation: Part 1
Episode 40 - David Mitchell and Michel Faber in conversation: Trailer
Episode 39 - Tom Drury Live at Bookseller Crow: Part 3
Episode 38 - Tom Drury Live at Bookseller Crow: Part 2
Episode 37 - Tom Drury Live at Bookseller Crow: Part 1
Episode 36 - Kate Hamer: Part 2
Episode 35 - Kate Hamer: Reading from The Girl in the Red Coat
Episode 34 - Kate Hamer - Girl in a Red Coat: Part 1
Episode 33 - Kate Hamer reads Chapter 1 of The Girl in the Red Coat
Episode 32 - Sloane Crosley: Part 2
Episode 31 - Sloane Crosley: Part 1
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