“Nannies” by Séverine Cressan: a first moving novel, ode to life and sorority

The character of the nanny is very often encountered in 19th century literature, a background character just designated by his function so much of it was to pay a poor woman from the countryside to breastfeed her baby when we were a bourgeois couple. Similarly, Séverine Cressan gives life to these invisible women in a first novel as sensual as it is overwhelming. – "nannies" séverine cressan: first moving

Sylvaine is a nanny. Meanwhile, She exercises her activity with righteousness and conscience, not like others who multiply the brats to touch as many pensions. Therefore, Once “nannies” séverine cressan: first moving her son weaned, she takes in feeding Gladie, a child in the city. In addition, One night, she discovers in the forest an infant, a granddaughter whom she chooses to raise. Therefore, In her swaddling. However, she finds a notebook written by the mother who tells the secret of her origins to the child whom she has just abandoned.

Séverine Cressan Dencates perfectly this practice of the nursery of the children of cities from birth. Consequently, the housewife devoted to her children is marginal or even non -existent in the 19th century. And we discover amazed all the infrastructure set up to supervise this real infant industry: investment offices in cities with unscrupulous leaders who lead nurses to the city to be presented to parents (they “nannies” séverine cressan: first moving are responsible for paying every month after newborns). nannies “on place” at the home of the bourgeois, others in the countryside; the atrocious placement conditions for abandoned children who do not report anything in this mercenary breastfeeding system; In general, very high infant excess mortality due to long transport sometimes in the middle of winter, bad hygiene and too high a number of babies to feed.

The panorama is complete on this business of misery as sordid as it is flourishing. but never the sociological aspect does not take it from the human aspect. Actually, Séverine Cressan chose to adorn his story with the tale’s attire.

Thus. the novel begins with a full-moon night where the Roux star calls Sylvaine in the forest to a misty clearing where the newborn she saves. We see her in a body instinctively with nature as bewitched by the telluric forces that surround her. “nannies” séverine cressan: first moving And this founding night of the call of the Moon will be able to remember her at key moments. by dreamlike dreams of communion with the elements. Despite a metaphorical overload sometimes too ostensible. we are deeply touched by poetry and the strength that emerges from this powerful eco -feminist relationship.

Séverine Cressan Speaks wonderfully about the female body: of its visceral animality sublimated during breastfeeding scenes. instinctive attachment to her child who does not arise in all women, of the breastfeeding body exploited by greedy men. The novel is not reduced to that. but it is rare to read such beautiful or harsh passages on the bodily experience of women.

As in all tales. the drama broods, with heavy events that will experience and threaten Sylvaine’s love for her child of the Moon, the nurse being firmly decided that the secret of her origins inscribed in the carne is “nannies” séverine cressan: first moving revealing to him when she is old enough to understand. And yet what we remember is humanist light that emanates from each page. Nannies is an ode to life. carnal link uniting women and children, whether of their flesh or not, a tribute to the power of the sorority which culminates in an absolutely magnificent scene which upsets by its way of challenging rural patriarchy.

In the end. it is a very successful first novel as its evocative and poetic writing, its assertive universe placing emotions at the center of all things (we sometimes think of Franck Bouysse or Cecile Coulonit is obviously a compliment) and its chopped narrative construction show romantic maturity and amazing formal mastery. We can predict the same success as The little good of Bérénice Pichat who attracted criticism. readers to the previous literary school year.

Marie-Laure Kirzy

"nannies" séverine cressan: first moving

Nannies
Séverine Cressan novel
EDITIONS DALVA
272 pages – 21,50€
Date of publication: August 21, 2025