Novel We Need To Talk About Kevin
"We Need to Talk About Kevin" is a novel by Lionel Shriver that was published in 2003. The novel is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a mother, Eva Khatchadourian, and her son, Kevin Khatchadourian. The book is written in the form of letters from Eva to her estranged husband, Franklin, in which she tries to make sense of the events leading up to Kevin's school shooting massacre.
The Plot of the Novel
The novel is told in a non-linear narrative that jumps back and forth in time. The first letter is written after the shooting and the subsequent letters go back in time to Eva's pregnancy and Kevin's birth, and then forward to the present. The story reveals the strained relationship between Eva and Kevin from the beginning, and the increasing acts of violence by Kevin leading up to the school shooting.
The Characters
The characters in the novel are complex and well-developed. Eva is portrayed as a woman trying to come to terms with her role as a mother and her feelings of guilt and responsibility for Kevin's actions. Kevin is a sociopathic teenager who shows no remorse for his actions, and Franklin is portrayed as a well-meaning but naive father who is unable to see the true nature of his son.
Themes
The novel explores many themes, including nature versus nurture, the role of parents in shaping their children's behavior, and the consequences of ignoring warning signs of mental illness. The book also raises questions about the American obsession with guns and the easy access to firearms.
Reception
The novel was well-received by critics and won several awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2005. The book was also adapted into a film in 2011, starring Tilda Swinton as Eva and Ezra Miller as Kevin.
Conclusion
"We Need to Talk About Kevin" is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that explores the dark side of human nature. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in psychology, parenting, and the impact of violence on society.