I recommend We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver

I read it in one agog train journey

I've finished! and thoroughly enjoyed it despite all the 'uncomfortable' bits. I have to say I thought the character of Celia was a cop-out to tie up loose ends - in real life, I'm not sure she would have even been conceived or brought up in that way - she seemed to be there just to illustrate some points, and that the ending wasn't exactly a twist, I could see it coming and if anything was an anti-climax. However I enjoyed it and the issues it made me think about. I did manage it in a week in a few long sessions (one - a 3 hr train journey). I rather liked her style although I know others think it too American.

Yes, Rachey, exactly - like The Fifth Child updated to modern times. Very discomfiting. Noddyholder, I'd say you'd be pushed to read it in a week, although you could - I read it over several weeks, which I think was better, because it does leave you feeling a bit, well, discomfited.

this is my bookgroups book this month Is it a long read or could I do it in a week!?!I am finding it hard to get started atm

I'm reading this at the mo - no spoilers please! I'm really in to it - it's already reminding me of 'the fifth child' by Doris Lessing - anyone else read this one?

I finished it today. IMO not as good as Notes on a Scandal, but similar in that the narrator's side is open to interpretation. Cleverly done. My heart went out to the perpetrator, especially when little... in that respect, reminds me of Red Dragon, by Thomas Harris, the precursor to his Silence of the Lambs, horror with humanity. Know what you mean about less than convincing bits, they show up her non-mum status.

Finished this last night (2am couldn't put it down). Started out as a fairly uncomfortable read...ended up as being a fairly horrific one.

Lol!..then i went to bed and had nightmares!
Errrm ... anyway...recommended...... i think

Thanks soapbox, once my exmas are over I will read it.

I read this on holiday - not a great choice of holiday reading

I did find it an interesting read, if a little depressing. I found it horrific that all of the shootings referred to in the book were real. So many children gunned down before their prime

But from the book it was the wee girl that got to me! (trying not to give too much away to TSAP)!

Prepare to be depressed, tsap!

I have been meaning to get round to reading this, it was featured on a book show on the BBc a few months ago.

lionel or kevin?

I agree singersgirl. It was really compelling despite the belief suspension business. I was always waiting for something more horrific and was never disappointed. Probably says something bad about me.

I thought it was riveting and disturbing. But I did find it odd that the husband appeared not to be able to see any wrong in his son - I mean, most of us are mortified if we think our child might have misbehaved etc. And I did find it hard to believe that a child could all his life be acting several different personae with mum, dad, school - as the mother suggests by his 'out of character' illness.
Still, I thought it was a fascinating read.

Oooh, yes, the sister was a bit lame.

And I found the fact she didn't divorce her husband or sort things out with her son quite unbelievable. I wasn't convinced (although I was fascinated) by the idea of a child who didn't care about anything, and hence couldn't be disciplined or rewarded.

Also the sister's character, Celia or Cecilia or whatever her name was, was totally unrealistic as well.

I mean, did Margaret/Lionel just wake up one night and think, 'Oh gawd! I forgot to give Kevin a foil! Quick, let me conjure up a sister who's his complete opposite!'

WAY too simplistic.

Do you mean me KatieR? I am rubbish at remembering what I've read 5 minutes ago let alone a few months, as in this case. However, I think the bit about the bleach and her lack of dealing with it seemed, to say the least, unlikely. And the whole relationship with her husband which had been so good. Although I'm the first to say that having kids changes your relationship I think her husband's complete lack of support AT ALL TIMES was far fetched.

Out of interest which bits did you think were far fetched?

I enjoyed it alot although had to suspend disbelief quite a few times. I mean who would put up with so much? She's not a mum herself which explains why some of the mother bits are a bit far-fetched.

I did, bundle, thank you! I've not really understood it yet, but I haven't really got my head around crochet, full stop (so the longer instructions will be useful). I've been going mad with knitting hats.

About finding the mothering stuff strange ... it wasn't the big-picture broken stuff, it was something small and subtle. Hmm, I'll have to make a note of it, if I reread it.

I really do like the ambiguity of the book. It isn't at all clear, to anyone involved, if Kevin is broken, if his mum is broken, if their relationship is broken, or what.

je suis bundle

They know me too well, LadyBundyful (who are you btw????). I reckon my fines pay for most of the new books they get in our library!