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Shields, CarolUnlessReta Winters, 44-year-old successfulauthor of light summertime fiction, hasalways considered herself happy, evenblessed. That is, until her oldest daughterNorah mysteriously drops out of collegeto become a panhandler on a Torontostreet corner -- silent, with a sign aroundher neck bearing the word “Goodness”.Shriver, LionelShriver, LionelThe Post - Birthday WorldIt all hinges on one kiss. Whether IrenaMcGovern does or does not lean in toa specific pair of lips in London, willdetermine whether she stays with herdisciplined intellectual partner Lawrenceor runs off with Ramsey, a hardlivingsnooker player. Using a paralleluniverse structure, we follow Irena’slife as it unfolds under the influence oftwo drastically different men, havingramifications for her relationships withfriends and family, her career as anillustrator, and more importantly, for thetexture of her daily life.We Need to Talk About KevinTwo years ago, Eva’s son, Kevin,murdered seven of his fellow highschoolstudents, a cafeteria worker, anda popular algebra teacher. Telling thestory of Kevin’s upbringing, Eva addressesherself to her estranged husband througha series of letters. Fearing that her ownshortcomings may have shaped what herson has become, she confesses to a deep,73