The True Nanny Diaries
A Novel by Nandi
Former immigrant babysitter offers rare journey into the world of domestic workers in “The True Nanny Diaries” The True Nanny Diaries, a novel explores which explores the paradox of being both the indispensable “help” and marginalized “illegal-immigrant,” is an exciting new addition to the canon of women’s literature. Penned by Nandi, who has years of experience as a journalist, The True Nanny Diaries explores the world of African-Caribbean women caring for white American children. What distinguishes The True Nanny Diaries from other contemporary novels about nannies is its ground-breaking position from the point-of-view of an immigrant woman, “illegal alien,” who has no choice but to do this work. The True Nanny Diaries, is an insider’s depiction of life in America while hiding-in-plain sight; being a 21st Century black woman in a white woman’s kitchen and laughing and loving while living on the edge. Ultimately, The True Nanny Diaries is the first “nanny novel” which allows immigrant women (who make up the brunt of the domestic worker force in New York City) to speak for themselves. Nandi, an African-Caribbean woman, and former babysitter was well-positioned to write this novel. She is a playwright, journalist and writer, whose own dance with destiny placed her on the playgrounds of New York City, and in the home of strangers as a domestic worker. The True Nanny Diaries revolves around Valdi West, who left her native Trinidad & Tobago to study at Columbia University but ends up babysitting to survive. Twenty years later, she can barely face her derailed dreams. Instead, she focuses her razor sharp intuition and cutting wit on her babysitting clique: Senior citizen Madam Lucian, who is supplementing her meager babysitting wages by selling bread from her Brooklyn apartment; Monica, who is stirring a few "perks" into her Green Card marriage and Ava, her one time confidant, whose impending success at the America Dream has Valdi unnerved. Set further and further adrift from her own dream of becoming an award-winning writer, Valdi’s life becomes hopelessly entangled in the unending demands of her latest employers, a Manhattan couple with an errant son. Valdi’s chance encounter with her estranged, wildly successful, twin sister pushes her to the brink. She has two choices: sink or swim. Nandi notes that The True Nanny Diaries is not only about the workplace challenges but about the hopes, dreams and expectations that domestic workers share. “These are not weak women oppressed by some big, bad wolf. These are real women, with imperfections of their own, finding their way as immigrants, and as friends.” From her vantage point at ground zero of this “invisible world” Nandi proudly brings us The True Nanny Diaries. For more information please consult www.breadforbrickpublishing.com or email: info@breadforbrickpublishing.com, or call (347) 636-0079. The True Nanny Diaries ... ISBN: 978-0-615-22060-4 - $14.95 Four women, linked by dreams and babysitting, find friendship on a playground in New York City.
