THE GOOD NANNY

What begins as a dreary account of overpaid egoists (in this case, Manhattan publishing cognoscenti) develops into an intriguing tale of personal loss and moral degradation. A wealthy couple buys the home "to die for" in a small New York town, commuting to their jobs in the city. This requires a nanny for their daughters, and the title character appears--a cultured fine artist, a sophisticated yet down-to-earth black woman who likes to be called Sugar. Her wholesome contributions to the value-addled household lead to dark events. George Wilson chooses to play the antihero, Stuart Cross, with a vocal style resembling that of a 1950s science film narrator, though his supporting character work is much better. Still, this is a twisted and gripping listen written by someone who understands the machinations of modern culture. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]