Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Talk about Kevin

38 replies

wheresclaire · 18/04/2009 21:23

I know Im years late but I've only just read this. OMG what a brilliant book. Hard to get into, but once you're there... wow. Read it, everyone.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
marymungoandmidge · 24/04/2009 21:57

Thought it rather one dimensional...and incredible. Can't help feeling that Shriver is drawing largely on her self for the basis of the Mother's character (sorry, can't remeber her name...something beginning with E). Maybe Shriver is a bit of a one trick pony...

scottishmummy · 24/04/2009 21:54

oh and the did ya guess twist.Doh

piscesmoon · 24/04/2009 21:50

It is better than her last one 'The Post Birthday World'-I really disliked that.

scottishmummy · 24/04/2009 21:46

hated this plodding,poor characterisation,shite

vannah · 24/04/2009 21:43

I met Shriver at my local library last year, really loved her book before i had met her. But didnt like her AT ALL. And that put me off any of her books.

robbiebrazen · 23/04/2009 09:17

Well worth a read, Schriver's skill at describing Kevin's lack of emotion really chilled me to the bone and to think that there really are kids out there like Kevin is enough to give any parent nightmares.

tillyfernackerpants · 19/04/2009 17:38

We were the Mulvaneys was the first one I read, thought it was great. Also enjoyed Black Water & Man Crazy, but couldn't get into Blonde. she's so prolific, there's 3 more coming out this year!

BlueEyedMaid · 19/04/2009 15:29

Enjoy - it's great. I've also really liked We were the Mulvaneys, and Black Girl White Girl, and The Falls, but couldn't get past the first few chapters of The Gravedigger's daughter - it was just too too bleak. What were your favourites - she' written so many books it's unreal.

tillyfernackerpants · 19/04/2009 15:24

Blueyedmaid, I haven't read JCO for years but do like her books. I've got the My Sister one on order at the library!

BlueEyedMaid · 19/04/2009 15:02

Now speaking of books about rubbish parents, has anyone read My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates?

I thought this was an absolutely amazing book, so cleverly making you see how the murder of a child can occur in a 'respectable', upper middle class, wealthy white family.

It is loosely based on the story of JonBenet Ramsey, the child beauty queen who was found murdered in her own home sometime in the 1990s - I found it a fascinating and uncomfortable read about modern parenthood and much much better than Kevin.

I'm always banging on about the author - I've read alot of JCO's books and think she is fab.

tillyfernackerpants · 19/04/2009 07:06

butterball, sorry meant to come back & tell you, glad you've been told now so you don't have to reread it!

Blametheparents, I saw the 'twist' as well, couldn't understand why everyone was so shocked!

I did read the tennis one but it was so awful its completely put me off reading any others

Bleatblurt · 18/04/2009 23:29

Thank you, BlueEyedMaid!

Snorbs · 18/04/2009 22:33

I thought it was a great book, very cleverly plotted and with a very powerful ending. The use of an unreliable narrator added a lot of depth and intrigue into her relationship with her son as well as what was really going on in his childhood. I'm glad I didn't spot the twist in advance as that made the final section that much more vivid.

namechangecosfeelingsad · 18/04/2009 22:29

I enjoyed Kevin (though I read it just before my son was born and it did unnerve me slightly!). HATED HATED HATED Double Fault though - awful characters IMO.

ramonaquimby · 18/04/2009 22:28

she is a very unlikable person and for that reason I just can't get into any of her books.

rookiemater · 18/04/2009 22:26

I enjoyed it and borrowed her next one from the library. Complete and utter tosh, it's a parallel story thing along the lines of Sliding doors, but all about the complicated love life of a child free fortyish woman. Struggled to get to the pointless end, and now retain unpleasant feelings for Lionel Shriver.

blametheparents · 18/04/2009 22:13

I thought it was really obvious that Kevin had killed his sister and dad.
I didn't get why everyone was asking me, Did you get the twist?
I hadn't even seen it as a twist, it just seemed obvious.

Original poster
wheresclaire · 18/04/2009 22:09

Me too blueEyed, although the blurb on the back was misleading. It clearly says "Letters to her estranged husband". Unless estranged CAN mean dead?

OP posts:
BlueEyedMaid · 18/04/2009 21:56

OK so SPOILER coming up in case you haven't read/finished it, just for you Butterball. Don't read on if you don't want to know...

As you may remember it is written in letter form from Eva to her husband, so you get the feeling she's writing to him about their past, explaining her actions and perspective on things after a divorce or break up.

But then it turns out Eva is writing to her now dead husband, as Kevin killed him, along with his little sister, with a bow and arrow in the back garden before he went on his killing spree.

I totally didn't see this coming and the sudden element of grief somewhat changed the feel of the book for me.

izyboy · 18/04/2009 21:48

That Shriver woman is very irritating. Put me off reading the book. Glad you enjoyed a good read tho' claire.

TheCrackFox · 18/04/2009 21:45

Shriver only had one book in her. She has been a big disappointment since.

sprogger · 18/04/2009 21:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scrappydappydoo · 18/04/2009 21:39

I loved it as a good read but equally it frustrated me - I just didn't 'get' why she didn't put kevin in therapy. I found it hard to believe she was the only one who saw something wrong..

Bleatblurt · 18/04/2009 21:39

I read it a few years ago and remember nothing about it. Well I remember the bare bones of it of course.

I might go and read the last 50 pages.

Original poster
wheresclaire · 18/04/2009 21:37

More than the school killings... the sisters eye thing did it for me. Did he do it? Ugh just horrible.

OP posts: