What is the main theme or message being said throughout the whole book?

Because of Kevin’s shooting spree at school with a crossbow, one might be tempted to say that school violence is the main theme of this book; however, the real theme is Eva’s parental mistakes as a mother.

To begin a look at this theme, one must observe the method the author uses: the novel is a series of letters from Eva to her late husband, Franklin, who we learn has also been killed by Kevin....

Because of Kevin’s shooting spree at school with a crossbow, one might be tempted to say that school violence is the main theme of this book; however, the real theme is Eva’s parental mistakes as a mother.

To begin a look at this theme, one must observe the method the author uses: the novel is a series of letters from Eva to her late husband, Franklin, who we learn has also been killed by Kevin. This begins to show that it is Eva who is the focus here, not necessarily Kevin. In fact, it is a shock to the reader to find out that they are reading letters to a dead person by the end of the novel. Kevin strikes again.

The dark theme of Eva’s parenting begins even before she is pregnant. Eva can’t decided whether she even wants to have children and, when she becomes pregnant, she feels “cold” and “absent” even when trying to breastfeed Kevin.   Eva hires a nanny in order to get out of childcare tasks, and takes Kevin’s insults without delay. Eva continues to ignore many serious things Kevin does, and finally picks a favorite of her two children: Cecilia. Throughout the book, Eva really only has one attempt at bonding with Kevin: a trip out to dinner. At this point, the two “bond” over throwing insults at America. Kevin, of course, ends with insulting his mother:

Maybe I’d rather have a big cow of a mother who at least didn’t think she was better than everybody else.

This line shows the results of the dark parental theme. Things get worse from here. Kevin injures his sister permanently and begins to makes lists of kids to kill at school. Eva continues to ignore many of these red flags. Kevin eventually kills many students at school as well as his father and sister with a crossbow. Eva again averts the situation over the years by visiting Kevin in prison and “forgiving him.” Eva is ready to welcome Kevin home after his release without question. Even Eva’s lack of worry at the end of the story lends itself towards concern.