Our Score: ★★★★★★★★✩✩
GENRE: Crime
Selected by Gemma - January 2008
SYNOPSIS:
Eva never really wanted to be a mother - and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklin. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)
STORY BEHIND THE BOOK:
Gemma:
This was the first book selected for Book Club. I wanted to choose a book that I would not normally go for and one that would have the potential to provide a lot of discussion. I found the blurb and synopsis fascinating and was reassured by the fact that it won the Orange Prize For Fiction 2005 . I had high hopes.
THE DISCUSSION: (Contains spoilers)
This book really had mixed reviews by our members, some loved it, others loathed it. We had lots of questions and an interesting nature vs. nurture debate. Ultimately we wanted to know who was to blame? Would Kevin have behaved any differently if his mother had acted differently towards him? There were definitely early signs that the parents should have picked up on and sought out help for Kevin, why didn't they? Surely they could see the destruction and abnormal behaviour that was panning out in front of them?
A lot of our frustration was centred around the mother. Was she really the one to blame or was she just an innocent bystander? The ending was another source of our frustration and debate, after everything that Kevin had done why did the mother still visit him in prison? Some of us felt that he deserved to be isolated and alone; others felt that his mother had a duty to visit. After all, there is no love stronger than that of a mothers... even when a child becomes a mass murderer?? Whatever our personal opinions, it was agreed that whether you loved it or hated it, it would be a book that would stay with you and one you would not forget!!
This book has definitely set the benchmark for all other books to follow. Wow, what an exhausting read!
QUESTIONS:
1) Do you believe Kevin was born bad? Can a child be born evil?
2) Who is responsible for Kevin's actions? It is right to solely blame Kevin?
3) Do you think Eva is right in visiting Kevin in Prison? Would you visit your child if they had committed such horrific crimes?
4) What are your opinions on Eva's and Kevin's relationship?
5) Why do you think Kevin killed his fellow students and the one teacher that was kind to him?
6) Do you think Kevin got the sentence that he deserved (7 years for killing 11 people)?
7) What do you think will happen when Kevin is released from prison?
REVIEW:(May contain spoilers)
Gemma's Thoughts:
OMG! This book was far bigger than I ever anticipated. Not only was it 468 pages of very small print but it was a very emotional and disturbing read. Although I couldn't put this book down I found it a difficult read. The Author's writing style was not to my liking as I found her sentences too long winded and the content of the book was too unsettling for me. The ending was the final straw and it made me extremely angry. An anger that stayed with me for weeks afterwards. On reflection I guess this is the hallmark of a good book. The author really got under my skin with this novel.
Maria's Thoughts:
Didn't finish this. Shame, it was the first book of the book club and I really wanted to make a go of it but I had a deadline for my NVQ and Lionel did my head in, using 100 words where 20 would have sufficed. Everything about the book seemed blown out of proportion, the characters, the long-winded descriptive paragraphs. Too much. I gave in and put the book aside and was never tempted to start again. I don't know if she ever wrote anything else but I wouldn't be tempted to try another of her books.
Funny how such a negative review can stay with you as much as a positive one. I still remember the authors name and the title of the book, when many of the books I have absolutely loved takes a gentle reminder to name the author!
Emma's Thoughts:
Join my book club she said and this was Gemma's first choice! I have never read such a disturbing and uncomfortable book. It was such an uncomfortable read with a story line that was so horrific, making it so memorable that I had to give it a high score (if you see what I mean!). It certainly pushes your comfort zone and was great discussion at our very first book club meeting!
THE SCORES:
Emma: 8
Gemma: 6
Nic: 9
Maria : N/A
Average 8
Let us know your thoughts about this book. We would love to read your reviews and know what you would score it.
If you enjoyed this book why not try:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Children Act by Ian McEwan
Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land
Unravelling Oliver by Liz Nugent
Happy reading!