Description

Book Synopsis

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS POPULAR NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014

A laugh-out-loud true story of the trials and tribulations of being a live-in nanny in 1980s London and inspired a major TV series starring Helena Bonham Carter.

*****

In 1982 Nina Stibbe, a 20-year-old from Leicester, moved to London to work as a nanny for a very particular family. It was a perfect match: Nina had no idea how to cook, look after children or who the weirdos were who called round. And the family, busy discussing such arcane subjects as how to swear in German or the merits (or otherwise) of turkey mince, were delighted by her lack of skills.

Love, Nina is the collection of letters she wrote home gloriously describing her ''domestic'' life, the unpredictable houseguests and the cat everyone loved to hate.

*****

''I adored this book and could quote from it forever'' Nick Hornby

''Funny and sharp: n

Trade Review
I adored this book, and could quote from it forever. It's real, odd, life-affirming, sharp, loving, and contains more than one reference to Arsenal FC -- Nick Hornby * The Believer *
Last year, we had Roger Mortimer's splendidly bufferish Dear Lupin: Letters to a Wayward Son. Love, Nina - funny, quirky, vivid and touching - is every bit its equal * Daily Mail (Book of the Week) *
I loved this book. What a beady eye she has for domestic life, and how deliciously fresh and funny she is - a real discovery. -- Deborah Moggach, author of 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'
Breezy, sophisticated, hilarious, rude and aching with sweetness: Love, Nina might be the most charming book I've ever read -- Maria Semple, author of 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette'
Funny, warm, life-affirming and accutely well-observed, Love, Nina is a gift that will keep on giving . . . A hoot * Metro *
The snippets of dialogue and vingettes evoke the characters and atmosphere brilliantly . . . Funny, sharp * Evening Standard *
Even if Adrian Mole wrote about the Primrose Hill set, it wouldn't be as funny and absorbing as Love, Nina * Psychologies *
Like a 1980s Mary Poppins with a sense of humour * Stylist *
The funniest new writer to arrive in years -- Andrew O'Hagan
Adrian Mole meets Mary Poppins mashed up in literary north London . . . Enormous fun * Bookseller *

Love Nina Despatches from Family Life

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 5 Jan 2026.

A Paperback / softback by Nina Stibbe

3 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Love Nina Despatches from Family Life by Nina Stibbe

    Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
    Publication Date: 27/02/2014
    ISBN13: 9780241965092, 978-0241965092
    ISBN10: 0241965098

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS POPULAR NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014

    A laugh-out-loud true story of the trials and tribulations of being a live-in nanny in 1980s London and inspired a major TV series starring Helena Bonham Carter.

    *****

    In 1982 Nina Stibbe, a 20-year-old from Leicester, moved to London to work as a nanny for a very particular family. It was a perfect match: Nina had no idea how to cook, look after children or who the weirdos were who called round. And the family, busy discussing such arcane subjects as how to swear in German or the merits (or otherwise) of turkey mince, were delighted by her lack of skills.

    Love, Nina is the collection of letters she wrote home gloriously describing her ''domestic'' life, the unpredictable houseguests and the cat everyone loved to hate.

    *****

    ''I adored this book and could quote from it forever'' Nick Hornby

    ''Funny and sharp: n

    Trade Review
    I adored this book, and could quote from it forever. It's real, odd, life-affirming, sharp, loving, and contains more than one reference to Arsenal FC -- Nick Hornby * The Believer *
    Last year, we had Roger Mortimer's splendidly bufferish Dear Lupin: Letters to a Wayward Son. Love, Nina - funny, quirky, vivid and touching - is every bit its equal * Daily Mail (Book of the Week) *
    I loved this book. What a beady eye she has for domestic life, and how deliciously fresh and funny she is - a real discovery. -- Deborah Moggach, author of 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'
    Breezy, sophisticated, hilarious, rude and aching with sweetness: Love, Nina might be the most charming book I've ever read -- Maria Semple, author of 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette'
    Funny, warm, life-affirming and accutely well-observed, Love, Nina is a gift that will keep on giving . . . A hoot * Metro *
    The snippets of dialogue and vingettes evoke the characters and atmosphere brilliantly . . . Funny, sharp * Evening Standard *
    Even if Adrian Mole wrote about the Primrose Hill set, it wouldn't be as funny and absorbing as Love, Nina * Psychologies *
    Like a 1980s Mary Poppins with a sense of humour * Stylist *
    The funniest new writer to arrive in years -- Andrew O'Hagan
    Adrian Mole meets Mary Poppins mashed up in literary north London . . . Enormous fun * Bookseller *

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