Talk about Kevin

[wheresclaire]

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.

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.

Thank you, BlueEyedMaid!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

hated this plodding,poor characterisation,shite

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

oh and the did ya guess twist.Doh

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...