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)

Dark and daring

This book was so dark it was cathartic, like a Greek tragedy. And yes, as reviews I read said, Kevin doesn’t seem realistic, so Damien-esque is he. But his character gives Shriver the freedom to explore taboo subjects like a mother disliking her child; and to examine some unpleasant perspectives on American culture and human nature. I disliked the flat narration at first, but eventually could imagine it was the voice of Tilda Swinton. And while I haven’t seen the film yet, I pictured her as the narrator from the outset. She really was expertly cast. Anyway, I got used to it eventually. The book was excessively detailed at points for an audiobook, but I never got too lost. I also figured out the ending early on, but that may have been by design.

meh.

I'm trying to like it, but it drags on for so long about her love for her husband...

pretty good....

it's a decent book. I normally hate fiction but it was OK. I got a little bored about 4 chapters from the end.

Narrators voice is hard to handle

I am having the hardest time getting through this book because of the narrator. The way us talks is driving me bonkers. She ends every sentence in a robotic tone which then highlights the fact that it sounds like she is congested. I am only still listening because I want to finish the story. But it's like nails on a chalk board to my ears.

High Expectations, Falls Short

I've heard so much about this book and it has been on my list for years, but I was a bit disappointed in the book. It was very slow and tough to get into. In the end the book was fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Interesting story but very long.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful speaker. The beginning is vey interesting. I wish the problem with Kevin had been revealed a little earlier. It does seem to go on and on and on. While I can appreciate all this mother has had to go through I am getting a bit bored.

got better.

I didn't love it at first but several good twists and I was glad I finished it.

heartstopping

I don't know how I can go on. Honestly. Thisbroke me to my core

great story / robotic narration

I love this book. and the movie. but after listening to Swan Song, which had the best narration iv heard,I found this one to be very monotonous and robotic. I found myself drifting off several times. other than that, it was greta.

Wow.

By golly.

Oh Man.

Holy crap.

What an ending.

Amazing story progression. Amazing vocabulary. Amazing creativity.

Amazing.