May 2019 Books

The Perfect Nanny, Leila Slimani (2018 translation)

This story shows what happens after a young Parisian couple find ‘the perfect nanny’ to care for their children.  Their perfect nanny cares for their children, cleans, cooks and even goes on vacation, never complaining. The book begins at the end, a scene of slaughter that demonstrates the nanny is far from perfect. Then Slimani shows the development of  two dependent characters: Miriam, the mother who went back to work, and Louise, the woman she has hired. It’s a psychological thriller based on an understanding of childcare, and tension escalates throughout.

I was told there’d be cake, Sloane Crosley (2008)

This collection of essays that had me giggling and guffawing. Crosley is hilarious about how strange modern life is for a young white woman, telling stories on herself without bitterness or anger, although usually with a bit of the profane.  In one, she struggles to get rid of a collection of toy ponies, romantic souvenirs of past relationships. Another has her seeking (and not finding) a one-night stand, thinking it a badge of honor. In each essay, tragedy is averted, but embarrassment isn’t. Crosley writes near the end “I was just like everyone else I knew,” but really, I doubt they have her ability to turn failure and avoidance into witty realisations.

The Wall, John Lanchester (2019)

A future dystopia is described in a simple direct style by Joseph Kavanagh as he reports to his two years of wall watching, mandatory military duty for most young people. He must patrol for long monotonous shifts in damp and windy cold, protecting his country’s coastline from immigrants escaping the world wide devastation that has raised sea levels and killed millions. Mildly attracted to another patroller, the two decide to become parents just before an attack on the wall turns their situation deadly.  With their demoted Captain, Joseph and Hifa take a boat out on the water, knowing they’ll be killed if they stay. The scenario of climate devastation seems all too probable, and Kavanagh’s narrative is always believable. A cold dread grew as I read this frightening future, in a story as gripping as it is possible.

Young Adult

Night Music, Jenn Thorne (2019)

Ruby has lived a pampered life in her talented family, overseen by her father, a famous composer and conductor in New York. When a teenager shows up at their door to be mentored by her dad, there’s instant attraction between the teens. Ruby guides Oscar around New York, and Oscar shows Ruby how racism affects his life as he’s ‘nurtured’ in a liberal white classical music elite.  Oscar turns his experiences into a composition, and Ruby helps him as she comes to terms with who she is, forging an identity without her mother, and without the innate performance abilities of those around her. There’s lots of classical music references, and the romance almost plays second fiddle to Ruby coming into her own. A crime makes for an odd plot twist near the end, but it offers a chance for Ruby and Oscar to reunite.

The Iron Flower, Laurie Forest (2018)

The sequel to The Black Witch shows Elloren and her crew gaining power in a political landscape headed either to war or sublimation of all the non-Gardnerians.  Where the first book detailed the surprising alliances made across difference, this book documents the problems the friends face in the wider world. Many complications ensue from family, prejudice, class, and secrets; sadly not many involve the dragon, though the Amazonian women were impressively strong and cunning. I cannot even attempt to list the plot twists, but Elloren perseveres throughout.  Though not as surprising as the first installment, I plan to read the conclusion of this escapist fantasy.

Queen’s Shadow (Star Wars), E. K. Johnston (2019)

So, I am not a big Star Wars fan and haven’t seen all the movies.  AND I really enjoyed this book about Padme. She resigns as Queen of Naboo, but agrees to be a Senator and goes to the Coruscant to become involved in politics.  Her goals are to limit slavery and control piracy in open space. Of course, she knows that government moves slowly, but this story has dangers both personal and planetary to break up the politics. Johnston’s story is all about female power, and the characters are Padme’s handmaids and guards. The plot had enough action, deception, and fun to keep any science fiction reader entertained. Cool costumes and lovely settings, especially the lake house in the country and the planet Alderaan, add to the draw. I cannot assess how accurate it is to the entire canon, but it was internally consistent. And R2D2 has a role!