Whilst I was in India I read a book that has really toutched me to the core. I read a lot and often cant tell you title or content of the book I read last week because I have already moved on and read several others! But this one has disturbed me and and sections keep drifting through my head. When I had finishd the book I sat on the beach and cried with what felt like real grief and true sorrow for the Characters much to the bemusement of the other sunbathers, Has anybodyelse read- We Need To Talk About Kevin? It was the winner for the Orange prize for Fiction and well worth a read, be prepared to be disturbed and emotionally confused!

I read it a few months ago and thought it was excellent. A worthy winner of the prize (despite wanting Marina to win as I am loyal like that). Really interesting and involving book, very difficult subject, well worth a read.

What is it about?

Just googled it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582432678/104-3615010-2919929?v=glance&n=283155

it looks good

I have an online book discussion group. This was the last book that we all read. Everyone found it an extremely difficult book to get into - and only two out of six of us persevered enough to finish the book.

Its certainly not a light read and I found it very uncomfortable for the most part, although the last fifty or so pages make up for the rest of the book.

It is indeed one of the most thought provoking books that I have ever read.

I'd be interested to know whether those of you who have read it, think that Eva was an unreliable narrator. Was Kevin born bad? Did he deliberately injure Celia's eye?

I've read the book twice. My view is that Kevin was born bad. Some kids just are (I know of a couple). I went to see Lionel Shriver give a talk at the Showroom a couple of years ago, and a member of audience asked her this question; she adroitly managed not to get drawn into the nature v nurture debate and said she had her views and it was up to the reader to decide.

I had a huge amount of sympathy for Eva, I think she tried her best under extremely trying circumstances. Franklin was just awful and they were totally incompatible, he gave her no support whatsoever. For example, buying that house in the suburbs whilst she was away, with no consultation whatsoever was one of his many outrageous acts.

I've discussed this book in 2 Book Groups. We were very polarised as some members hated Eva and blamed her, whilst other like me felt a huge amount of empathy towards her.

Kevin was hateful though wasn't he? And that ending. Although I had began to suspect it still shocked me. Even more shocking was the last paragraph.

What a fantastic book. I do wonder whether Shriver is a one trick pony though. I've tried to read some of her other stuff and find it impenetrable.

What a fantastic book. I do wonder whether Shriver is a one trick pony though. I've tried to read some of her other stuff and find it impenetrable.

I found it impenetrable and badly written from the start. I persevered because Godzilla told me how great it was. Apart from the writing style I felt no empathy for anyone. The husband was clearly a jerk, the son a horror and the wife too cowed. In the end I skim read it right through to the end just to see how it ended and thought "meh, thought as much"

Godzilla did wonder whether it is more of a womans' book, and specifically a mothers' book.

Hmmmm :suspect: hope she wasn't trying to tell me something when she gave it to me

I found it impenetrable and badly written from the start. I persevered because Godzilla told me how great it was. Apart from the writing style I felt no empathy for anyone. The husband was clearly a jerk, the son a horror and the wife too cowed. In the end I skim read it right through to the end just to see how it ended and thought "meh, thought as much"

Godzilla did wonder whether it is more of a womans' book, and specifically a mothers' book.

Hmmmm :suspect: hope she wasn't trying to tell me something when she gave it to me

Yes deeply worrying Taxi, at what age were you out of nappies?:suspect::suspect: Were you a horror of a child?:hihi:

I agree, it was pretentiously written, but was that not because it was a reflection of Eva's introspection and her personality?

What was also good was its indictment of the American Dream, culture & litigious society. I thought that was very cleverly woven into the story. No matter what the reader thinks of Eva, at least her politics were sound, unlike that hideous Republican husband of hers.

It also reflected the way in which a woman suddenly becomes a vessel when she gets pregnant. Eva lost all her identity then and the dynamic between her and Franklin instantly changed.

The book still haunts me. I love it.

I saw someone reading this in the pub the other day and looked it up, think i might give it a try. :)

I saw someone reading this in the pub the other day and looked it up, think i might give it a try. :)

Do, it is brilliant.

Another one on my list! :)

Have so many friends that rave about this book.

Another one on my list! :)

Have so many friends that rave about this book.

Oh Jess, you must read it. I still think about to this day and the last time that I read it was nearly a year ago.

I know it is a while since this thread was started but I have just finished reading this book and need to talk about it!

I loved it! It did take me a while to get into it at first but by about half way, I couldnt put it down! So those who are / thinking of reading it, persevere, its worth it!

The way it ended was a surprise to me, I didnt suspect that at all. Its all very harrowing and disturbing but does tackle a very difficult subject well.

And I must say, I do think Kevin was just born pure evil !!

I put it down after about 60 pages. I just couldn't get into it although I will probably pick it up again.

I couldn't empathise with Eva at all and already having a good idea what was coming - I'd heard all the media hype - so decided I probably was in the wrong frame of mind.

Picked up Arthur and George by Julian Barnes instead - fabulous - and not in any way as emotionally challenging.

I know it is a while since this thread was started but I have just finished reading this book and need to talk about it!

I loved it! It did take me a while to get into it at first but by about half way, I couldnt put it down! So those who are / thinking of reading it, persevere, its worth it!

The way it ended was a surprise to me, I didnt suspect that at all. Its all very harrowing and disturbing but does tackle a very difficult subject well.

And I must say, I do think Kevin was just born pure evil !!

I agree with everything you've said. Kevin was the personification of evil.

i've started it, but put it downm i do intend to finish it, but am finding it pretty hard going. i read something that said f you arent into a book by page 50, then dont bother, life's too short, but i really do want to stick with it!

I read it for a reading group and at first found it heavy going but further into it I found I could not put it down.

It's not a book I would have chosen but was very glad I read it.
hazel

Loved it. Extraordinarily perceptive writing that says so much about the relationships of everyday people whose relationships change when they have kids as much as it says about the (hopefully) extraordinary situation of having a 'Kevin'.

Moving, compelling and despite having heard a lot about it (and a bit of the R4 serialisation) the last chapter was a shock that struck home with force and remains with me.

i've started it, but put it downm i do intend to finish it, but am finding it pretty hard going. i read something that said f you arent into a book by page 50, then dont bother, life's too short, but i really do want to stick with it!

Persever with it, Fabulous. It's worth it in the end. It says such a lot about the human condition.

Loved it. Extraordinarily perceptive writing that says so much about the relationships of everyday people whose relationships change when they have kids as much as it says about the (hopefully) extraordinary situation of having a 'Kevin'.

Moving, compelling and despite having heard a lot about it (and a bit of the R4 serialisation) the last chapter was a shock that struck home with force and remains with me.

Yes, it is an incredible bok, a real tour de force that leaves you reeling. Did you sympathise with Eva as a character? Interesting to hear a male perspective as I've only ever heard female ones.

Absolutely fantastic book, was hard to get into but worth it in the end, very deep book but could identify with Eva in many parts of the book, imagine having a child like that, must be hearty wrenching

I've heard of this book, but undecided over whether to read it or not. The 'born evil' thing plays on me now I have a child of my own. It might scare me :(