A Perfect Arrangement

The word that comes to mind in connection with this book is "muted". Given the set-up (stressed-out professional couple hire nanny with faked references who seems brilliant) most people would expect the story to go a particular - quite dramatic - way. It doesn't. It's rather more concerned with examining the relationship of the couple, and the relationship of the nanny with her estranged family. I realised close to the end that there wasn't going to be any drama and settled down to enjoy the descriptive stuff - and really this author is excellent at describing people (I loved the smug earth-mother neighbour for example). I shouldn't feel disappointed, but somehow I do.

A middle class family in New England, hire a nanny to look after their two children while they get on with their busy lives. We learn early on that Randi has falsified her references and that Howard and Mirella are desperate to find someone. Reading on and learning that Randi likes to be in control and there have been problems with her own family (Randi is hiding from them) the reader may well think that he knows where this novel is going: going into the realms of "[The Hand That Rocked the Cradle]" or other murderous nanny stories that haunt many families, who take the live-in nanny as a solution to child care problems. It is more power to the elbow of Suzanne Berne that she does not take her readers down this route, but what she does show more reveal about family life, is in some respects just as shocking.

Howard is an architect working from home in his purpose built extension, Mirella is a lawyer working in a busy practice that she has set up with her good friend Ruth. They have two children; a daughter Pearl who goes to play-school and her younger brother Jacob who is not yet speaking and would appear to have learning difficulties. Randi despite lacking experience throws herself into being the perfect nanny and of course the children soon appreciate the attention that she gives them. Jacob particularly thrives under her care. It is almost inevitable that Mirella will become a little jealous. Suzanne Berne focuses on the life of the family, their day to day existence, Randi striving to excel with new ideas and initiatives, while the lives of Howard and Mirella, becoming a little remote from the children; leaving them space to get into their own difficulties.

Another theme of the book is the residents pride in their New England town. Proud of their history, living a few miles north of where the pilgrim fathers landed. Pageants, fetes, are important events in their yearly calendar, seemingly a celebration of family life. However one gets the feeling that these middle class families are a little insular, too wrapped up in their own success perhaps. When things go wrong in a family, then that family tends to implode while neighbours look on in curiosity.

Randi the young nanny is the central character of this book and Berne paints her realistically as she does with the rest of the family. Nobody is nasty, nobody is evil, it is just the pressures of family and business life that takes their toll within the family unit. I enjoyed my birds eye view of the Cook-Goldmans who lacked for nothing, but a little imagination 3.5 stars. show less

Disturbing novel about ordinary upper-class family with two working parents which decides to hire a nanny. The characters are very real, and the details are fantastic. Recommended.

This was an intriguing book. I had no idea where it was going to go, except that it would involve the nanny.

Randi Gill lands a nanny job with Mirella and Howard Goldman by faking her credentials. As it turns out, though, she is very skilled at the job. She leans on women's magazines and newspapers for recipes and household hints, and throws herself into each task with dedication. She seems to have an instinct for relating to children, which serves her well when she encounters Jacob, a little boy, nearly three, who has yet to talk. She finds activities to do with both children and yet finds time to clean and cook and help the parents as needed, too.

Mirella, struggling as an attorney in a newish partnership, worries about her role at show more home. Is she letting Randi take on too much of what really should be Mirella's duties? Meanwhile, Howard sees how well Randi does with the children and the house and mainly feels relief.

Mirella and Howard have a strained relationship, in part because Howard had an affair with a coworker a few years back. Perhaps having the weight of running a household lessened gives them more time to dwell on what's wrong between them.

Meanwhile, Randi has also given a false name and has made up her past. When she learns that someone from her past is trying to find her, she tries to keep that from happening.

The big mystery of who Randi is does come to the front. I found the resulting changes abrupt and confusing. I wanted a better understanding. Perhaps I am just dense, not seeing what is there. show less

An architect, his lawyer-wife and their two troubled children find the "perfect" nanny and their lives unravel.
Reminiscent of Anne Tyler.

An architect, his lawyer-wife and their two troubled children find the "perfect" nanny and their lives unravel.
Reminiscent of Anne Tyler.

This book was such a BIG disappoinment. I kept waiting for the big finale...there was none. You're literally sitting there mentally gathering up all the clues for the huge revelation only to hit a brick wall. This book was a dud.