We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Wow. This book was so many things . . . sad and depressing but also thoughtful and the last 50 pages had plenty of surprises. I have three children and I wondered what I would have done if I had a child with some of Kevin’s attitudes and tendencies. What I did not like was how the father kowtowed to him. I would not allow my children to speak to me the way he spoke to his parents. But the father was such a wimp concerning his own child. However I know parents who let their children walk all over them so I can’t say that is highly unusual. 

The subtle message that Kevin had a little respect for his mother who tried to discipline him/questioned his motives and zero respect for his father who believed every fable Kevin made up. After about 50 pages or so I had figured out how things would eventually progress for Franklin. Kevin’s last conversation with his mother was brilliant.

Shriver reminds me a bit of Jodi Piccoult.

I hate that everyone remembers the names of the school shooting murderers but not the victims.

Has anyone else read it? What did you think?

I love Lionel Shriver's writing, and I did love the way she ended that book.  I think some people find her too dark.  She wrote another book I read called "the Post -Birthday World" which tackled relationships and infidelity.  Although not such a depressing subject matter, her outlook on how the main character dealt with life's bumps on the road was somewhat similar in the two books ( I felt).  I am waiting to read Jodi Picoult's Ninteen Minutes which also deals with a school shooting but I am way down on the wish list!

I'll have to look for The Post Birthday World. Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, this book did have a true dark side - disturbing book/subject on many levels (school shootings, a child without apparent remorse, etc.).

I plan to read Nineteen Minutes some day also but not right away. I need a short breather from this subject :-)

I'm really trying hard to get through this book, the writing is just hard to pick up and put down  the way I have to since I have kids at home on summer break. I find myself not being able to pick it up again easily the next day, but I am glad to hear it's worth finishing!

I will pick it back up again! Thanks for the spoilers, they were enough to pique my interest but not too much to let me know what ultimately happens!

happy reading!

ems

    Sheila , I have not read it , but it souns like it would be a good read !

                            Dolores H.