Comments on: Review: We Need To Talk About Kevin, Lionel Shriver

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:59:31 +0000

This was an awesome book! Eva and Kevin were such great characters to dissect. The sympathy I felt for both of them was not at all what I would have expected given the circumstances. .-= Stephanie´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon =-.

By: kay @ Infiniteshelf

kay @ Infiniteshelf — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:41:15 +0000

I really want to read this book, too. I'm on the waiting list at the library but it's taking forever. It's a difficult subject and after reading "Hate List" some time ago, I'm interested to see how it is treated in adult fiction. .-= kay @ Infiniteshelf´s last blog ..A new look for the blog! =-.

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:52:10 +0000

This was a very disturbing book, but so good. It took me about 100 pages to get into it, but I kept reading because it was for a book club, and I’m so glad I didn’t give up on it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:30:45 +0000

I loved this too. It was intense, Shriver did such a fantastic job. .-= Melissa´s last blog ..Friday Favorites: Catch-22 =-.

By: Jodie

Jodie — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:48:17 +0000

Shriver says this book was born out of her own troubled issues with motherhood. I always tended to think of Eva’s initial torubles with Kevin as post natal depression (she loves her second child so much after all) and a consequence of being pushed into having him before she was ready.

So I agree with Nymeth that it’s got a lot to say about the expectations placed on mothers which makes them measure their reactions with growing panic. I’d also argue that that can have a very scary effect on any child that grows up with a mother who feels her child a form of crushing pressure. But then I tend to think that so many of society’s evils could be cut down if we just didn’t force people to fit boxes and hide their true natures.

By: Beth F

Beth F — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:33:33 +0000

I haven't read this one, or any Lionel Shriver for that matter. I think parents who keep their own identities, lives, and activities are probably better parents than those who give up everything for their children (but what do I know?). So difficult to answer: who is responsible for a child's actions? Although the child is older in 31 Hours, I was left with similar questions at the end. .-= Beth F´s last blog ..Thursday Tea: The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano =-.

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:23:53 +0000

Well, lots of people grow up with neglectful or distant parents, and the vast majority of them do not become serial killers or mass murderers. I think that's Kevin's own issue. Eva was probably right that he was born malevolent. Like Mr. Darcy's housekeeper says in P&P--those that are kind as children are often kind as adults. .-= heidenkind´s last blog ..The House on Tradd Street by Karen White =-.

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:59:00 +0000

This sounds like such a powerful book and what a reminder of how our actions affect others! Wow!

By: carol

carol — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:52:39 +0000

Sounds like an compelling story.

And I agree that most mothers are selfish at times. I know I am.

By: Aarti

Aarti — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:23:02 +0000

I agree completely with Ana. I think it’s asking a lot of mothers to expect them to always sacrifice everything for the sake of their children. And it’s horrible to have that sense of guilt, just because sometimes you prioritize yourself.

I think the mother of one of the Columbine killers had a really big interview in Oprah’s magazine. It might be something you would find interesting, after this read!
http://www.oprah.com/world/Susan-Klebolds-O-Magazine-Essay-I-Will-Never-Know-Why
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Working Poor =-.