43 pages • 1 hour read
We Need To Talk About Kevin
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
432
Novel • Fiction
New York • 2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver is an epistolary novel composed of letters that Eva Khatchadourian writes to her husband Franklin after their son Kevin commits a horrific crime at his school. The letters delve into Eva and Franklin's marriage, their decision to have children, and Kevin's increasingly disturbing behavior, exacerbating the already tenuous relationship between Eva and Kevin. The book addresses topics including school shootings, child abuse, violence, and rape.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
211,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin receives acclaim for its daring and introspective narrative, exploring complex themes of motherhood and culpability. While praised for its gripping prose and psychological depth, some readers find the subject matter distressing and the protagonist unsympathetic. Overall, it's a provocative and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read We Need To Talk About Kevin?
A reader who enjoys We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver would be captivated by intense psychological thrillers that explore complex family dynamics and moral dilemmas. Fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold will appreciate the dark, introspective narrative and deeply flawed characters.
211,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Franklin Plaskett
Franklin Plaskett
Kevin's father who is enthusiastic about fatherhood and often unaware of his son's manipulative nature. He struggles to understand Eva's perspective on Kevin and values his ideals of being a good father.
Kevin Khatchadourian
Kevin Khatchadourian
The son of Eva and Franklin, known for his intelligence and cunning nature. His behavior grows increasingly troubling throughout his childhood and into adolescence.
Celia Plaskett
Celia Plaskett
Kevin’s younger sister, characterized by her kindness and vulnerability. She cares deeply for her family and embodies innocence and good-heartedness.
432
Novel • Fiction
New York • 2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.