We Need to Talk About Kevin

Read October 2009.
Photo courtesy Wikipedia. 

The Scoop: Thriller novel by Lionel Shriver (US). Published by UK-based Serpent's Tail, first in 2003. Won the 2005 Orange Prize, UK-based prize awarded to female authors of any nationality writing in English. BBC Films acquired film adaptation rights to the story in 2005, but a series of issues and delays has plagued the adaptation. Script appeared on 2008 Brit List, a ranking of the best unproduced screenplays in British film compiled by the film industry. Currently, the film is scheduled to be filmed in 2010, with Steven Soderbergh named as one of the executive producers and actress Tilda Swinton signed on to star.

The Ingredients: In the form of letters written in first-person by Eva Khatchadourian addressed to her husband. Through the letters, Eva attempts to come to terms with her son Kevin and the murders he committed during a (fictional) school massacre. She talks about present events while delving back into their history to try and figure out what happened and what led Kevin to his depraved act.

Serves: Mature readers. Detailed recounts and descriptions of very disturbing and scary acts and events, violence, strong language, sexual innuendo.

November 8, 2000: Dear Franklin, I'm unsure why one trifling incident this afternoon has moved me to write to you.

Result: Absolutely breathtaking. I first heard of this title when I stumbled across a list/article of ten disturbing must-read books or something like that. I wrote down all the titles, but this one in particular jumped off the page for me because I've always found the sort of 'inside the killer's mind' type of thing fascinating and wanted a look for myself. And this book really delivers. Shriver is a stellar storyteller and writer, and her awesome vocabulary is a bonus. I couldn't put this book down, and when I had to, I'd be chilled to the bone and I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd read up to that point and speculating about what would come next. It stirs up incredible emotion and is so intricate that it is easy to forget that this particular story is (thankfully) fiction, though unfortunately, not entirely invented. It is an incredible exploration into the nature vs. nurture debate, though don't expect any clear-cut answers. [5/5 Fantastic writing, gripping story, thought-provoking detail, complex and real characters, strong emotion. This book will definitely leave a lasting impression on you, but be prepared, it may be easy-to-read because it is well-written, but it is not, by any measure, an easy read.]