The Perfect Child

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of child abuse, pregnancy loss, graphic violence, death, animal abuse and death, and mental illness (including postpartum psychosis and reactive attachment disorder).

Hannah Bauer is one of two protagonists and narrators in the story. She is a round and dynamic character with many layers to her personality whose psychology and demeanor change in response to her experiences. Hannah’s story begins with her life working as a nurse and married to Christopher. The Desire to Be a Parent drives many of her actions: She has long since accepted that she cannot have biological children and is looking into adoption when Janie comes into the picture. However, despite her longing for a child, Hannah doesn’t want to meet Janie at first, reluctant to witness the abuse Janie experienced or to grow attached to her, which contrasts with how Christopher approaches the situation.

Janie doesn’t like Hannah on their first meeting, and this feeling never seems to change, although Janie learns to fake affection well. Hannah agrees to take Janie in despite their lack of a bond, because she sees that Janie is in need and because of how much Christopher cares about her.