While this book was hard to put down, I can't say that I really liked it.
The basic premise is a mother (Eva) tries to determine, in the guise of writWhile this book was hard to put down, I can't say that I really liked it.
The basic premise is a mother (Eva) tries to determine, in the guise of writing letters to her husband, if she is at fault for their son's murder spree. The reader is then treated to hundreds of pages detailing her malevolence for her son since his very birth.
She is compelled to detail all the ways in which her son, from the cradle, was a "bad seed." And on she goes explaining how she reacted to this horrible child. In one sense it's trying to get at the nature vs. nurture debate. However, if Kevin was born evil, you could only imagine that his mother deserved him. The book might as well be called, "Let's talk about narcissism".
As the book drones on, and it does drone towards the middle, the characters become more and more flat caricatures. If there is any message this book has it's not to have children out of sense of ennui.
Numerous details don't really ring true. You have a couple who agonize for years about having a child. However, it becomes clear that they have never talked about how they plan to raise that child. The mother's depression is never addressed, nor is the seemingly psychotic nature of their young child.
The only thing we really know to be "true" is that Kevin killed 11 people. Eva is an unreliable narrator and presents everyone in a certain "type" flat, without deeper nuances. Her single minded hatred for her son becomes more and more delusional as the book goes on, and the reader has no doubt that this hatred has impaired her son (regardless of other emotional problems)to the point that no one would be surprised at such sociopathic behavior. ...more
I read this for a bookgroup discussion with a lesbian moms group. I am a biological mom, and my wife and I plan to have a second child which she will I read this for a bookgroup discussion with a lesbian moms group. I am a biological mom, and my wife and I plan to have a second child which she will carry.
It was very useful to see the other side of the equation, especially Amie's struggle to determine what her role is/was in the realm between mother-father-non-bio mom. The omnipresent reality for two-mom or two-dad families is the necessity to be specific about roles when there is no automatic social or societal assumption about who "mommy" or "mama" are in the family dynamic. While the day to day realities are not all that different from say, mom and dad who both work or a stay at home parent and a working outside the home parent the need to identify the roles that individuals take on is necessary as their is not a societal default. This is especially true when the mom whose staying home may not be the biological mom, or, as is increasingly the case when both women in the relationship are biological parents to one or more children.
I also found it very helpful to hear how Amie's wife reacted to returning to work, as she was the biological parent. ...more
I read this for a bookgroup gathering between my church, St. Stephen's and our covenant church, St. Luke's & St. Simon Cyrene. As we are both churchesI read this for a bookgroup gathering between my church, St. Stephen's and our covenant church, St. Luke's & St. Simon Cyrene. As we are both churches "in the city" and committed to urban ministry it was suggested as a thought provoking read.
Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest, chronicles his life working in the gang ridden barrios of Los Angeles. During that time he founds Homeboy Industries, which is dedicated to providing jobs, tattoo removal, counseling, and other guidance to gang members looking to leave the life behind. Over the years he buries many gang members as well as baptizing their children and bearing witness to the all to shortened life spans of generations of families.
Boyle writes in an engaging style that seamlessly melds Latino urban slang with theological discourse. In many ways, his book is an introduction to the humanity and despair in the lives of gang members and their families. While on the outside a "gangbanger" and drug dealer appears as little more than a two dimensional narcissist the hopelessness, lack of self efficacy, education, and self regard come alive in Gregory Boyle's representation of the hundreds of gang members with which he works.
Boyle's ability to live out the gospel in such an all inclusive manner is a profound lesson and challenge to all Christians. The question that echoes throughout (though unsaid) in the text is just how expansive do we believe, or indeed, accept the love of Christ to be? ...more
I began reading this for a bookgroup and stopped half-way through. It's complete crap. I've been vegetarian for years and know a lot about where my foI began reading this for a bookgroup and stopped half-way through. It's complete crap. I've been vegetarian for years and know a lot about where my food comes from. These women's assertations are not only wrong in many instances but they are inconsistent and absurd. They are strongly against the eating of meat or processed foods. However, they strongly advocate the "fake meat" products available which ARE a highly processed food. This book is pop culture at its worst and has nothing to do with health and everything to do with "being skinny". They tell you that anything bought at a health food store, and drop many, many names, are the way to go. So it's not "don't eat junk food" but "eat health food junk food". This book makes anyone who ascribes to life as a vegetarian or vegan look like a hysterical idiot.
If you want to read a decent book on the subject read The Omnivore's Dilemna or Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. ...more
A fascinating history of both womens'role and how women have been treated by the psychiatric and psychoanalytical professions as they have evolved. WhA fascinating history of both womens'role and how women have been treated by the psychiatric and psychoanalytical professions as they have evolved. While the author claims not to disparage modern medicine its a bit disingenuous. My only disappointment is that while her criticisms are thought provoking and valid she doesn't have any real conclusion to the work. In some ways she very nearly suggests that its the existence of the psychoanalytical professions that cause the problem in the first place.
Despite that its an excellent book that really draws out the evolution of psychoanalysis and its modern day implications. ...more
