We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver

[daftpixie]

Just read this book today and found it a fantastic, powerful read. Has anyone else read it? Would love to know others thoughts on the book, for example what Kevins motivations were, was his demeanor a result of Eva's lack of affection, was she a bad mother, did Franklin annoy you in his lack of belief in Eva etc

[SaxyJag]

My boss told me she'd enjoyed it, so I took a copy out. I read three chapters and took it back. There are very few books I've done this with.

All I could think was, 'My god, woman, if you rabbited on at your family the way you're doing here, no wonder the old man left you! No wonder you drove your kid to murder."

Sorry, but a book usually has to 'grab' me in some way in the first chapter. It has to make me want to read on, and this didn't.

[daftpixie]

Haha fair enough Saxyjag!

[doglady]

Loved it. I didn't catch on to the thing until right near the end. I don't want to say what the thing is, in case other people haven't read it, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

I saw a woman reading it on the train, and she was right near the beginning. I just wanted to blurt out the ending, but managed to stop myself.

Franklin didn't annoy me, I just thought he and Eva saw things differently. Until things started to get worse, that is. I think Kevin was a messed up kid, and his dad didn't want to see it.

What did you think about the bleach and his sister?

[daftpixie]

without doubt think Kevin was responsible for that, he told them they would be sorry when she was born and they were. I think that is why he kept the eye, as a way to taunt his mother with what he had done.

[Evening]

I really liked it too - it was original and unusual, but admittedly quite slow in getting gripping. It actually did make me question loads about having children and the fact that you really can only give them a grounding on which they will inevitably make their own decisions e.g. 'good' upbringing doesn't mean 'good' child and vice versa. The book left me a bit puzzled because Kevin never properly explains why he does what he does...

[daftpixie]

I know what you mean Evening, but I think that reason did it was to ultimatley punish and test Eva. Kevin always knew when people were being false, thats why he respected Eva when she broke his arm, because it was her first honest act. So the test was to see how she would behave towards him after he did what he did, would she continue to pretend etc and when she didnt, and began to level with him, he changed towards her