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A review by matt_and_cheez
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
5.0
This novel takes a deep look into the bond (or lack thereof) between parent and child, and explores the unspeakable question: what if a mother dislikes her own son? Through a series of letters to her estranged husband Franklin, Eva Katchadourian slowly builds up to the event, a certain Thursday, in which their son Kevin committed an act rivaling Columbine. In the end, the reader knows how Kevin did it, but ultimately, we still want to know why? But in reality, does it really matter? Author Lionel Shriver delivers a stunning portrayal of a very off-limits topic and explores the very real idea that not all children are good. The ending was definitely shocking and the most memorable, but Eva's witty and sophisticated language, anti-American complaints and deep desire to travel the world made the pages turn very quickly for me.
POST-REVIEW REVIEW: I just read another review in which the reader says that the book is refreshing because it explores a tragedy in pre 9/11 America and so there is no dialogue about terrorists and Iraq, etc. I totally agree. It seems like 9/11 really warped our sense of tragedy in this country and made us forget that horrible things go on even within the family unit. Although the book does allude to 9/11 talking about the Columbine kids "hijacking a jet and flying it into the world trade center."
POST-REVIEW REVIEW: I just read another review in which the reader says that the book is refreshing because it explores a tragedy in pre 9/11 America and so there is no dialogue about terrorists and Iraq, etc. I totally agree. It seems like 9/11 really warped our sense of tragedy in this country and made us forget that horrible things go on even within the family unit. Although the book does allude to 9/11 talking about the Columbine kids "hijacking a jet and flying it into the world trade center."