We need to talk about Kevin. Anyone read it?

[Beetroot]

Hard work!

Struggling with it

I found the majority of the book very dull and hard work. I only stuck with it because a friend recommended it and said it would get better.
Then the last few chapters OMG! I think I stayed up ridiculously late one night to finish it, I was gripped.

I disagree twiglett I found it quite unpredictable( or maybe only compared to Maeve Binchy that I am reading at now).
Also all the stuff about their relationship before kevin and how it changed is not usually admitted and should be..

Hated it, a very bitter book and sounds like her next novel is similar in its bitterness!

The author definitely wanted to make a point and couldn't get the story out properly. Tried to do a Notes From A Scandal and failed miserably. What happens is so obvious and badly written.

unpredicatable collete?

I really am shocked at that .. I could see that ending coming a mile off

actually only got through first few pages..pheww..like swimmming up hill through custard..i imagine v.good once your into it though?!

I loved it - just read it a few weeks ago - and was utterly shocked by the end Twiglett - didn't see it coming at all! I thought her style made the book completely compelling - I literally couldn't put it down - read it in a day, finishing it at about midnight..!

I think she doesn't need kids herself to have picked up on the whole nurture versus nature thing, which of course is terrifying if you have got children...

I've got dp and 4 of our friends reading it at the moment and we're starting a book club with this book being the first book we discuss - and we've all got 2 kids each, so some interesting discussions to be had I think.

A friend recommended it as 'life-changing'. Wouldn't go that far, but it was interesting.

Pretty much guessed the ending very early on (which is very unlike me as I am usually blown away by even the cruddiest twist).

I wonder what the book would be like if she had children? Not saying she's not entitled to write about the subject, but I just wonder if it would be less clinical, or whether the detachment is just the narrator's survival tactic.

There was one bit that did surprise me though, and that was her reaction when she gets called to the school after the event. Not going to say too much as this isn't a spoiler thread, but I found that quite touching.

Wow! Just finished this and thought it was an amazing book. Very thought provoking. Partially guessed the ending part way through (IMO there is a very big clue in the book). Cried at the end and still mulling it over in my mind.

I've got it here but haven't started it yet will probably get round to reading it sometime this week.

Oooh - I've just bought this today. Will watch thread with interest.

I read it when pregnant. It was one of those laugh-a-minute pregnancies anyway...

read it last week - disliked author with a passion....found it hard going but persevered..
Just did not get on with Lionel - thought i would not 'like' her in real life
Daughter and dh a bit two dimensional. Glad i read it though!

shriver is annoying and her opinions are dull. wtf is she doing in the guardian every week? jaw jaw jaw. "I'm amerian...you brits! i'm broke...you m/c! i love housework...you people who love sex!"
Pass me my quiver!

Found it utterly unreadable, which I may have said before on here, sorry. Interviews with her have not warmed me to her at all either - utterly objectionable imho.

what is it about?

I'e started this book twice but cannot gt past the first few chapters. Can't decide if I want to try again or not. It's very unusual for me to not get on with a book, but the text is very cold and clinical and the narrator is very self obsessed, not very maternal.

Found it hard going at first, but persevered. Agree that the DH and DD needed more characterisation. Don't know much about the author's personal life, but if I did it wouldn't alter my view of the book. I think it is an impressive piece of fiction.

I loved this book-it certainly was not an easy read, and yes I guessed the twist but much as I loved and recommended it have no desire to read it again which is strange for me.

I have it on good authority (from friends in the publishing industry) that she is a "ghastly woman" in real life. I have details, but I'd better not say any more though...

I don't know why but I guessed so unquietdad. I so would like to know but better not I guess.

Haven't read the book - sounds far too distressing in my current delicate (PG) condition -- however dp (and the d bit fits today ...) bought me a Marie Claire to read for my Sunday in bed while he takes ds out for the day ... and there's (I think) a great article by the author in there about people's reactions to the Kevin book and why she doesn't want children. The last bit made me cry (see above delicate condition.) Recommend the article to anyone interested in the author. (And if that means you have to buy Marie Claire with all it's flashy make-up, clothes and story on darling Paris, oh well, so be it)...

Unquiet Dad - you have to spill the beans now

I tried to read it but found the style of writing extremely irritating.