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Original poster

Kevin

35 replies

bonnieslilsister · 26/02/2012 23:53

I might be a bit out of date but I have just finished we need to talk about kevin and loved it. What did you think and was it the Mum's fault or was Kevin 'evil'?

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/03/2012 21:54

rotten book
shallow characterisations
really didn't like it

ShowOfHands · 01/03/2012 21:43

We do not need to talk about Kevin. I thought it a turgid pile of predictable nonsense.

Lionel Shriver's dislike of children and woeful misunderstanding of anything approaching psychology was awful. Even as an unreliable narrator it didn't work. Her other stuff is worse though. Grin

HouseworkProcrastinator · 01/03/2012 21:40

Loved the book, Is in my top ten all time favourites. Film was a bit of a disappointment. I think the boy was born a psychopath, he obviously had a "pretend" attachment with his father who gave him all the things a parent should so in my mind that rules out attachment disorder. I think the mum just knew there was something wrong from the start and that effected the way she related to him rather than her actions making him that way.

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 01/03/2012 21:17

Really five? I cant wait to see the film!

OP posts:
fivegomadindorset · 01/03/2012 21:01

Awful book, awful film, struggled to get half way through both.

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 01/03/2012 20:58

I don't know really but I am a foster carer and have been learning about the attachment theory and in the early days if a baby doesn't get, (I know you will know this but it is so fascinating!) what he needs from the mum (or some primary person), if he doesn't bond, those neural pathways don't develop and in severe cases the child can end up not having a conscience or being able to empathise and have borderline personality disorder....sounds like him. She was really cold towards him, wasn't she? I reckon the nanny had really neglected him, too. Poor baby!! Glad I'm not looking after him tho Smile

Toilet scene was a bit gross! I worked with a child once who used to do that when he thought someone was walking down the corridor.....complete with noises (not when fostering) but then we weren't related. There is something particularly bad about performing for your mum!

I'm going to look at her other books now

The only bit I didn't like was the end when he said sorry.....didn't ring true for someone so bad; I would be more inclined to think he would forever think he was in the right.

OP posts:
captainBeaky · 01/03/2012 17:33

and what did you think Bonnie?

captainBeaky · 01/03/2012 17:33

Oh, I love this book. It is difficult, she was a very cold mother but he was also very unlovable. The bit when he was sat on the toilet with the door open really disturbed me. I like to think it was him that was bad from the beginning, but happy to be convinced otherwise.

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 27/02/2012 21:38

Thanks...on my way!

OP posts:
DuchessofMalfi · 27/02/2012 13:15

I can't really comment, as it is still on my bookshelf waiting to be read Blush. But I didn't want you to think your post had been completely ignored :). Are you a member of Goodreads? We've got a smallish group of us on here who like to chat more about books over there. Link here if you're interested.