Expert satirist Benjamin Cheever, author of Famous After Death, uses his dark sense of humor to deliver another searing look at suburbia. Literary editor Stuart Cross and his wife Andie, a film critic, hire the talented Louise to be nanny to their two young girls. Louise's perfection, however, begins to irritate the ambitious, but less accomplished Stuart and Andie, and soon the parents' jealousy gets the better of them.
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"This book was witty and satirical and truly suspenseful and dark until the last bit, when Cheever lost me. It got almost melodramatic, lost its amazing spark and humor and went from 6 out of 5 to 4 out of 5. Still highly recommended, but don't read it for the ending!" — Kim (4 out of 5 stars)
"This book was witty and satirical and truly suspenseful and dark until the last bit, when Cheever lost me. It got almost melodramatic, lost its amazing spark and humor and went from 6 out of 5 to 4 out of 5. Still highly recommended, but don't read it for the ending!"
“Scathing…Like a literary Nanny Diaries told from the perspective of beleaguered parents, Cheever’s tart tale skewers its protagonists’ ambition, materialism, literary pretensions, and sheltered lives…Satisfying.”
“A twisted and gripping listen written by someone who understands the machinations of modern culture.”
“Biting humor and witty dialogue create a satirical tone that complements the disturbing story. This book first appears light and carefree and then packs a wallop, before wrapping everything up in an uneven, lopsided way.”
“Topsy-turvy…An immensely funny and sharp account of the vanity of human wishes.”
“Far too few people know that Benjamin Cheever is America’s best comic novelist. He can make a reader laugh out loud, but his purposes are serious, and his humor, like Waugh’s, derives from an awareness of the darker tendencies of human nature.”
" So far the story is just unfolding and the characters are mildly interesting although some details are cliche but maybe I'll find out why as I continue reading.... "
" I really wanted to love this book, as I dig Cheever's book on running, called "Strides." But I didn't. I read until the end, though, so it had some suspense. "
" Well, this was a very strange book. It gives new meaning to the term self-centered. "
" I wish I'd given up on this book early on, when the female half of the couple got hysterical for no good reason. That way I wouldn't have been around at the end when the male half did the same damn thing. Bah. "
" Lame ending. "
" Dark and slightly moronic. "
" Supposed to be a "black comedy" but not very funny. "
" Very interesting story. Surprises throughout. "
" I fully agree with other readers that this was more of a parody/black humour sort of book, but it was done in such a way that I was bored and skipped to the end. The twist at the end was ridiculous. "
Benjamin Cheever, son of the novelist John Cheever, is the author of four adult fiction novels, one children’s book, and two nonfiction books. He has also been an editor at Reader’s Digest and a newspaper reporter for the New York Times, Nation, and New Yorker. He has taught at The New School for Social Research and the Benning MFA program and has hosted a television show called About Writing. He lives in Pleasantville, New York, with his wife and sons.
George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.
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