We need to talk about Kevin - just how bad does it get?

[claudiaschiffer]

Ok so i'm about half way though this book, Celia has just been born and I'm worried that Kevin does something so awful to her, that i'm a bit "eek" about reading on.

Go on, reassure me, surely it can't be as bad as I'm imagining.

I know this all sounds so wussy but I have a really lovely sweet dd whom Celia reminds me of and I really really don't want to read anything horrifying about gruesome Kevin torturing his lovely little sis.

Apart from that I'm LOVING it. It's fab and such an interesting/appalling (in a good way) read. Anyone got any thoughts?

[TillyScoutsmum]

Errm - don;t know what to say without giving anything away..

It is quite harrowing in parts, but worth finishing imo

[LyraSilvertongue]

You won't like the ending in that case but read on. It's worth it.

[claudiaschiffer]

But do you mean horrowing in the way it has already been harrowing or does it get worse and worse?

[LyraSilvertongue]

Much worse.

[iamdingdong]

it is harrowing, it is also a good read, yuo need to finish it!

[claudiaschiffer]

|It is fab Ruby, very interesting about motherhood. It actually makes me feel like a VERY good mum (which is nice) as I don't actively loathe my child(ren). But lummy it's full on.

[claudiaschiffer]

Oh crumbs mildmanneredjanitor.

[cornsilk]

I actually found the ending less harrowing than what she went through parenting him. I think the parenting bits hit home more as in ' That could be me - please don't let mine turn out like that!'

[hertsnessex]

keep reading. its a great book!

[OomphreyCushion]

Can't really say much without posting spoilers.
Just be prepared.

[cornsilk]

It is shocking.

[MsDemeanor]

I don't understand why this book got so much attention and respect for apparently saying something 'important' about parenthood. It's surely just a grand guignol horror, with no insight at all. The loony writer (Lionel ) has no kids, no experience of kids and doesn't like kids.

[cornsilk]

Because people were gripped by it.

[claudiaschiffer]

Dontcha think Cornsilk that it's a bit reassuring about parenting tho, as surely I CANNOT be as bad as that.

OomphreyCushion, I shall brace myself for the worst

[Piffle]

I think the ending is important as the preceding text is retrospective so you need to know what he did to understand their dynamic when he is detained....
I was shocked to be fair. But not surprised.

[claudiaschiffer]

Surely msdemeanor it is the whole nature/nurture debate writ to the MAX? Is Kevin just a horrible BAD kid or is his cold mother - at least partly - to blame for his veryvery bad deeds.

[MsDemeanor]

You can be gripped by something without thinking it is teaching us something profound though. I was gripped by Dr Who.