We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

I was a little behind in reading this infamous novel, but I felt I needed to be in the right frame of mind to tackle it. Turns out, there is no right frame of mind to read such a book. It's disturbing from the start and nearly every woman I've spoken to who has read it all same the same thing, 'It makes you think twice about having children'. I'm not sure if I totally agree with that statement, I think if you are having children for the right reasons, i.e. you want them, unlike our main character in this book, then this books shouldn't alter your decision.

Having said that, this book does bring up the question of nature vs nurture and leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions. There were times in this book where I just wanted to close the chapter and take a break, it was emotionally taxing and hats off to Shriver for coming up with such a unique and incredibly written book. Horrifying to read, yet addictive. I didn't want to know more, yet I couldn't help myself from continuing to turn the page and watching the horror unfold.

I think what is disturbing was how much I related to the mother in this book, though I like to think I wouldn't choose to have a child based on 'wanting to try something new'. Child birth doesn't strike me as an experience I desperately want to try 'just to see'. You don't have to fling yourself off a bridge to know it's going to hurt.

Having only just reconvened with book club I wish this had been on the list of books to discuss. I found myself at BBQs raising the subject with people who had read the book because I was desperate to hear what they thought of it all. Especially since Rich told me he didn't want to hear anything about this book and at 468 pages, it was in my life for a little while, with me busting to tell him all about it.

I saw the preview for the movie, but am less inclined to watch it since the characters don't look or act anything like I imaged. I'm also not sure I want some of those scenes realised in visual form, my imagination is frightening enough.