Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Au Paris: True Tales of an American Nanny in Paris

Au Paris: True Tales of an American Nanny in Paris
misangeles avatar reviewed on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


I really wanted to like this book, I really did. I love everything about Paris, I've visited the City of Light, and nanny books are tres chic these days, so what's not to like?

The book started off well enough, and I'd classify it as light, fun and breezy. It stays light and breezy throughout -- superficial, one might say -- and it's really not that surprising, as it's based on the author's actual nanny stint during six weeks in Paris. Six weeks. It felt stretched thin at times, probably because it was. I don't know about you, but writing about six weeks of my life may fill a page or two, but it certainly wouldn't make a full book. Despite being in Paris and southern France, I think the author had the same difficulties in expanding upon her blog posts for the Houston Chronicle to fill an entire book.

Maybe it's because I'm no longer in my early 20s, or maybe because my idea of the world is larger than the state of Arkansas (where the author is from), but I rolled my eyes when the author described her "hardships" in France. Excuse me while I break out the world's smallest violin. There's also a bit of "The Ugly American" in here, which makes some parts slightly embarrassing to read.