We Need to Talk About Kevin

A Novel

By: Lionel Shriver

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 16 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Eva never really wanted to be a mother - and certainly not the mother of a boy who ends up murdering 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 16th 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.

©2003 Lionel Shriver (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

“Shriver handles this material, with its potential for cheap sentiment and soap opera plot, with rare skill and sense.” ( Newark Star Ledger)

“A slow, magnetic descent into hell that is as fascinating as it is disturbing.” ( Cleveland Plain Dealer)

“Powerful [and] harrowing.” ( Entertainment Weekly)

Disturbing and enthralling

The writer uses intricate and complicated language to reveal, only a tiny bit at a time, a disturbing story of complex family dynamics. Very interesting and difficult to put down, but at times it is equally uncomfortable to continue. I would much rather read it in a book, than see it in a movie, and the book was shocking--but not disappointing.

Sad and disgusting and yet reaches a parent

This made me sick and scared and sad at the same time. I don't have the words for this. The book will keep you going, but difficult to handle and listen to the thoughts and words at many points. So relatable is what made it scary. My heart hurts for parents of any child who experiences this, but even more so for the child. They are at some indescribable disadvantage that turns out anger and hate from fear. Wish there were more answers, more options...

Love love loved this book

So many people are completely divided over this book. I thought that it was very thought provoking. You do not expect a mother to hate her child but as you learn more about Kevin you see how evil he is and how she could hate him. It makes you wonder if she hates him because he’s evil or if he is evil because his mother hates him. Even though you know the ending before you start reading, the shock value is still there and it definitely hit me deep. I will absolutely read this one again it was so good!

Disturbing, but fascinating

While this is a subject matter that people might think negatively about, this book is so well-written and goes into each character’s life and motivations. It’s a long story, but it flew by for me. I couldn’t stop reading. All of the people in the story are flawed and unlike able, (except Celia). Take a chance on this story. It’s worth it.

Gripping

I always rate the books I read but rarely do I write up a review. This is a great book. Disturbing, but it draws you in. I couldn’t stop listening. Highly recommended

Long and worth the listen

This book is not for everyone. But for me it was a book I couldn’t put down. It’s an example of today’s parenting norm at play. Parents that attempt only positive reinforcement and consequences are omitted. Codependent and enmeshed parents that play make believe because they can’t handle reality. It is a dynamic I have seen at play in some families and each time the children are angry, depressed & mean when mom and dad are weak. If this type of murder book interests you, you will enjoy listening to this story.

ugh

I didn't know it was a whole lot journal entries… I wanted an actual story

Excellent

Was a wonderful book hard to put down. The narrator read in Beautifully. However the movie is horrible. Like many books that are turned into movies the book was better ,much better.

Staggeringly thought provoking

Incredibly vivid writing and an understated, spot-on performance make this audiobook a treasure. I had to stop several times to jot down quotes from the text because the words were just too good. Well worth a listen.

great book

it started off very slow didn't know if I was going to get into this book. but keep listening the book is very good. and sad in the end took me by surprise.