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NOW CLOSED We Need to Talk about Kevin - tell the film makers your views on the topics it raises (spoiler alert) - a £200 Amazon voucher to be won

132 replies

NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 20/10/2011 09:51

Hello. As you may know, the film version of "We Need To Talk About Kevin", based on the book by Lionel Shriver, is out in cinemas soon and we've been asked by the film's producers to find out how you feel about the issues the book/film covers.

WARNING - This thread may well contain spoilers for anyone who hasn't read the book/seen the film.

OK, so, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" has been called a "compelling and repulsive" book about motherhood. It is, as one MNer put it "one of the first novels to put motherhood under the microscope and to state honestly that motherhood isn't always a walk in the park".

It's the story of a woman who doesn't bond with her son - and whose son grows up to do something monstrous. It's deliberately - and unsettlingly - unclear how much the difficult relationship between mother and son was a catalyst for his monstrous actions.

Do come and post your thoughts here on motherhood, bonding, parental guilt, nature/nurture etc etc. It doesn't matter whether you've read the book or not. (This isn't really meant to be a debate about the merits of the book, more about the issues it, and film based on it, raises. Comments will not be used anywhere - the film producers are just interested to hear what you think).

You can read what author Lionel Shriver has to say about it all in the fascinating Q&A we did with her recently - and you can watch a trailer for the film .

Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Amazon voucher.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 27/10/2011 10:31

Thanks to everyone who added their thoughts to this thread

We've done the prize draw and the winner of the £200 Amazon voucher is...

MandaHugNKiss - congratulations! I'll PM you to get your details

OP posts:
edam · 27/10/2011 21:55

Shakey - I don't think you should assume that because your sister is one kind of person and you are another you have failed, or you are wrong. You were two different people, right from the start, who each had different experiences and a different environment, even within the same family. For instance, the one who was three when something happened, will have had a very different experience than someone who was four. Siblings aren't identical and parents don't treat them exactly the same - all parents can strive to do is treat them equally.

SpringHeeledJack · 28/10/2011 18:25

We've done the prize draw and the winner of the £200 Amazon voucher is...

BlathersFright · 28/10/2011 18:31

next line down...

"MandaHugNKiss - congratulations! I'll PM you to get your details"

SpringHeeledJack · 28/10/2011 20:25

oh no I saw that, Blathers

was just kicking thread in a jealous rage

BlathersFright · 28/10/2011 20:43

Ah. Me too

Envy s'not fair

Kiwismum · 02/11/2011 14:41

Took ages to get into the book as the autor cannot hold your attention however, once I got halfway through, it all began to fall into place. A very slow book and I feel the author needs to learn to grasp emotion to start with rather than moaning for the first 50 pages. Nearly didn't bother to finish it but glad I did

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