May contain nuts - John O'Farrell

Alice never imagined that she would end up like this. Is she the only mother who feels so permanently panic-stricken at the terrors of the modern world - or is it normal to sit up in bed all night popping bubble wrap? She worries that too much gluten and dairy may be hindering her children's mental arithmetic. She frets that there are too many cars on the road to let them out of the 4x4. Finally she resolves to take control and tackle her biggest worry of all: her daughter is definitely not going to fail that crucial secondary school entrance exam. Because Alice has decided to take the test in her place...With his trademark comic eye for detail, John O'Farrell has produced a funny and provocative book that will make you laugh, cry and vow never to become that sort of parent. And then you can pass it on to your seven-year-old, because she really ought to be reading grown-up novels by now...


Une nouvelle courte qui se lit vite, May contain nuts est vif, incisif et critique la middle-class anglaise (enfin surtout londonienne ici) au vitriol. Alice craint de laisser ses enfants hors du 4x4, à cause du nombre de voitures à l'extérieur, elle à peur du moindre adolescent avec un survêtement à capuche, et cherche à tout pris à ce que sa fille entre au Chelsea College, de peur qu'elle termine dans le lycée de quartier. Des parents près à tout pour la réussite de leurs enfants, quitte faire leur devoir à leur place, les montrant comme des marionnettes. Un livre bien écrit, mais ou parfois les comportement d'Alice et de son mari manque un peu de subtilité et de profondeur.

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