We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

In this profoundly disturbing book, Eva shares the story of her son Kevin who killed 9 people in a school shooting.  Using the epistolary style, we explore her relationship to her son as well as Kevin's personality from the time of his birth.  Personal ambition, family dynamics, social observations - all are explored in an effort to understand Why?  Why does this happen?  Could it be prevented?  Why do we ignore the signs?  And worst of all, how do you live as the mother of a murderer?  The final revelation is one you suspect and hope all along was not true.  Shriver borrows from a whole range of real events including the Springfield shooting.  I picked this up right after the NPR conversation years ago.  Somehow I must have known it was a book I wished I would never ever have to read and think about.