We Need To Talk ABout Kevin

Publisher: Serpents Tail

Published Date: 2010

Book Length: 496

Format: Paperback was given to me as a present through aboxofstories.com

Star Rating: 2/5 It’s not really for me

About Book: Eva never really wanted to be a mother; certainly not the mother of a boy named Kevin who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker and a teacher who had tried to befriend him. Now, two years after her son's horrific rampage, Eva comes to terms with her role as Kevin's mother in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her absent husband Franklyn about their son's upbringing. Fearing that her own shortcomings may have shaped what her son has become, she confesses to a deep, long-standing ambivalence about motherhood. How much is her fault? In Lionel Shriver's hands this sensational, chilling and memorable story of a woman who raised a monster becomes a metaphor for the larger tragedy - the tragedy of a country where everything works, nobody starves, and anything can be bought but a sense of purpose.

My Thoughts: We Need to Talk about Kevin" by Lionel Shriver is undoubtedly a book that could leave its mark on whoever picks this book up. But it was not for me. While the novel delved into a harrowing and deeply disturbing exploration of parental struggle and the consequences of unchecked emotions, it unfortunately fell short in certain crucial aspects. The narrative revolved around the complicated relationship between Eva Khatchadourian, a mother, and her sociopathic son, Kevin. Shriver's bold decision to present the story through Eva's letters to her husband adds an intimate touch, providing a glimpse into her troubled mind and the emotional turmoil she faced. The book unapologetically tackled complex themes, such as maternal ambivalence, guilt, and the nature-nurture debate, offering readers a chance to ponder the darker side of human nature. However, despite its compelling premise, the pacing of the novel was a significant downfall. The narrative lingered too long on mundane details, causing the story to lose its momentum. As a result, the plot became tediously slow, testing my patience as I read it and overshadowing the emotional impact it could have had. Furthermore, the character development felt disappointingly one-sided. While Eva's perspective is presented in great depth, other characters remained woefully underdeveloped, leaving me with an incomplete understanding of their motives and actions. This lack of depth made it challenging to empathise with any of the characters, resulting in, what I thought, was a detached reading experience. Additionally, the novel's writing style felt excessively verbose and pretentious, which detracted from the raw emotions that should have been its driving force. Instead of evoking genuine empathy, the elaborate prose often came across as self-indulgent and distancing. Moreover, the conclusion felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving too many loose ends untied. After investing time in a story of such dark intensity, I felt it deserved a more comprehensive and fulfilling resolution. In conclusion, the book is undoubtedly thought-provoking with an arresting premise. However, its sluggish pacing, underdeveloped characters, self-indulgent prose, and an unsatisfactory conclusion hindered its potential for greatness for me. While it did provoke introspection on the complexities of parenthood and the human psyche, it ultimately fell short of being the transformative masterpiece it could have been. Note: Despite my reservations, I acknowledge that others might resonate with the book's unique approach and find it more enjoyable than I did.