On the day that is in it, I'd recommend that anybody with an opinion about events in Virginia should read this book: it is a novel, describing in the first person how a mother feels in the aftermath of her son going on a killing rampage at his local school.  This book will stay with you and will probably, if you are a parent, leave you profoundly moved.  Notwithstanding how you feel after reading it you might be curious, as I was, to inform yourself about the modern phenomenon of mass killings, and you will discover some of the following:

These killing sprees have been with us since the sixties.  Many of the perpetrators seek to memorialise or out-kill their 'predecessors'; many also have a sense of disconnnection and lack of identity and they seek recognition through their actions.  The extension of this thinking also suggests that these killings are indeed likely to get worse and worse, or more notorious, and perhaps it is therefore somewhat surprising that so few US presidents actually get shot?  Tragic and all as it seems, there is no reason to think that today's events will actually be catalytic in bringing about any change in legislation that will reduce gun ownership or usage - there will be the usual outrage and outpouring of sympathy but plus ca change...As another saying goes, read it and weep.

These happenings don't shock me anymore when I see them on the news. 

I was sad when I heard the news, but not surprised.

My Book Club has this book. I'll pick it up at the next meeting.

I've just finished her latest book: "The Post Birthday World".  it is very different in terms of its subject but nevertheless also very intense and provocative.  I enjoyed it.  BTW she is coming to Sydney next week.

I just finished this book and I was so floored! My heart was pounding! Such a twist at the end. It took me ages to get through as it is so heavy, but I am glad I persisted with it.

Nature versus nurture. Personally, I think he was a bad seed, but I know others who think the mother wasn't a very good person. A greta book for discussion.