Time Out Kids book club

Don't have time to visit a book club but want to share your thoughts? Join our online group instead 6 Comments

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Book groups are a good way to meet new friends and discuss your favourite (and least favourite) fact and fiction books.

Every month Time Out will be selecting a classic book for parents and families and posting comments about the book.

We want your feedback as well. If you have read the selected text and want to share your thoughts with other families just leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

We've decided to kick things off with parenting horror story We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.

Have you read it? Tell us what you thought. You can also suggest titles for future discussion or leave ideas about some of your favourite books.

By Will Milner
Time Out Dubai, 8 February 2009

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Posted by: Dr Runa Mithani on 17 Feb ' 09 at 09:59

i wanted to join the book club for kids...

Posted by: rlhpainter on 15 Feb ' 09 at 04:47

Just finished the book. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it, but there was a twist in the end that I hadn't been expecting. All in all, it was an interesting read. It's a good discussion book. I enjoy reading books that others have chosen because I end up reading books that I would not have chosen myself. You learn more that way!

Posted by: Julie Birchill on 09 Feb ' 09 at 11:36

Annoying little book. The worst kind of fiction.

Trades too heaviliy off the is-it-fact-or-is-it fiction question for the reader.

Fiction involves that you suspend disbelief and unfortunately Shriver cannot get the reader to do this - in the end you give up caring, particularly for the mother figure.

I also think that it cynically cashed in on Columbine and a few other disasters in the US.

PS You cannot call it a classic. Either for parents, or for families.

Frankenstein is a classic. It is also a very interesting look at the family life as well as society if you consider the Doctor and his his relationship with the monster as exploring the relationship between parent and (different) child.

Our Mutual Friend is another classic, and is a wonderful exploration of family life in Victorian society.

Posted by: donnab on 09 Feb ' 09 at 11:18

I found this book quite irritating as the writer seems to spend most of the time showcasing her vocabulary which sometimes takes away from the core element of the book. Eva seems to be in a constant state of struggle, fighting for her independance but not realising the responsibilities at hand. Although I don't feel that she is to blame she certainly didn't do anything to help the situation.
It would be interesting to see the husband/fathers account of the past as this book is a one-sided emotional journey of the wife. I bet it would be a lot simpler and thinner book!

Posted by: rlhpainter on 09 Feb ' 09 at 10:18

Shriver has an interesting approach to writing this book with letters from Eva to her husband. I’ll admit that I’ve had to look up a word for two (and English is my first language). Eva expresses her feelings, fears, and self doubts that she’s kept bottled up. I think any parent can relate to her. You find yourself very invested in Eva, her husband and Kevin. You know what is to come even before you start the book, yet it is still engaging. I am looking forward finding out what takes place in the 2nd half.

Posted by: movinnose on 08 Feb ' 09 at 14:10

I am half way through the book and I'm already starting to view my kids, my husband and parenting skills in a suspicious and critical manner. It's not because any of them are showing any prevailing similarities or have any criminal record, but its the 'what ifs' and the 'how would I deal with' that it awakens. Weirdly or wrongly, I feel that the mother has a serious problem which may have contributed but this quickly shifts when each chapter reminds you of the horrendous acts of this young boy. Mothering instinct perhaps?

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