Explain the Wow

I’m being called to task on my quick short unexplained one-word review of

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Ah…    and the reason I gave only a ‘wow’ – and it was a subdued, “OH MY GOD! …   huh.   eek.   goodness.   All I can say is…   (pause)   

wow.   

To say more would give a lot away?!

SPOILER AHEAD!!

This wow is not necessarily the ‘oh I’m so glad I never had kids’ kind of ‘wow’ because I am at a point in my life that I do know that this kind of statement is too simplicist and convenient.   If that makes sense.

No, this ‘wow’ was sad with only a stunned calm sadness.    I was blown away and only figured out what happened for Eva once she got back to the house after being at the police station.   I’m sure I figured it out at just the time when the author intended.

And THAT deserved a ‘wow’ for skill on the author’s part.  My astonishment, that I fell for it completely.

and just how Eva handled it – and WAS able to describe it!   So much made sense at that point!

It’s like reading along and KNOWING you have unanswered questions and the style of the narration tells you that sooner or later you WILL have those questions answered that the impatience of waiting for it…  is OK.   I’ll keep reading.

But, the evil and the dastardly planning of this disaster, is unfathomable to me.   This kid was beyond…   what?  too cunning.

I do think Eva had an excellent point about what holds some of us – all of us? – from thinking a thought and acting upon it.   And how easy, once you cross a line, that you realize it it IS easy.    At least she describes it believably.    The secret is that there is no secret.

How many times have we heard that?!

But this book begs to be discussed.   An exchange in conversation.   The words need sounding board that is different than a blog mode provides. 

So, Lisa, lets meet halfway – would that be in Kansas maybe?!?!?! – have that glass of wine and talk about this book.  

But then we would need a fun happy excursion to distract us and ‘right’ us once again.

This book’s subject matter is unpleasant.    Well written.    Thought provoking of thoughts I really wonder why I want to ponder!

I hope that explains my short little stunned ‘wow’.