Sebold's novel has become a staple of bookshelves and reading groups everwhere, because it really is that good. Her elegant prose is engaging and fluid, and the plot is intruiging.

Sebold is a gifted storyteller and even those who did not like the book often praise her imaginative storyline. Finally, her novel is so cleverly written that it makes one forget it's fiction, which is exactly what a good novelist aims for. If you have not read this thought-provoking book, take a chance on it. I highly recommend it.

(Those who have lost a child in a crinimal manner and/or those who are particularly sensitive to sexual crimes may want to avoid this book due to certain images. While not shockingly gruesome, they are somewhat perverse--which fits directly into the plot.)

A strange book about a disturbing topic. There is nothing uplifting or happy about this story. It really had an impact on me. I'm still thinking about the murder. I have some issues with the book. No one really mourned Susie in the way I would have expected. The mother is barely described. Only the father is keenly drawn. The grandmother is a caricature. There is an incredible hard to believe scene toward the end of the book.
[SPOILER] Susie is raped, murdered, and dismembered. After several years in heaven, she has the opportunity to switch bodies briefly with her somewhat psychic school friend who is alive on Earth. What does Susie do? Instead of alerting the police to where her remains are (the remains were never found except for an elbow), instead of contacting her grieving family, instead of alerting someone to what exactly happend, instead of all that - she has sex with a boy she knew in school!! After sex she returns her friend's body back to her and returns to Heaven. That makes no sense at all. Susie's last sexual experience was a brutal rape. So the first chance she has at communicating with people in the real world she decides to have sex? She wants sex that badly after her last experience with a man? It's very unrealistic and very strange to say the least. I nearly gave up on the book at this point because it was so ridiculous especially considering the author's very public acknowledgment of her own rape during college.

This book has a lot of hype around it and in the hands of a better author it could have been something really great. The premise of the story is intriguing and the story starts out with a very memorable beginning but the plot and writing just don't deliver.

I know this book has major hype and I have friends that didn't think it was that great. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a beautifully written story about a family and the tragic after effects of the murder of a 14 year-old daughter, sister, friend. The author artfully describes how the survivors cope with their loss. This book is a touching account of a family torn apart by one evil act.

We read this last month in our high school book club, and the students were about 50/50 on liking or disliking this book. It made for a very interesting discussion! Most of the boys did not like it. It is a well-written book, with the subject speaking from "her heaven." There were a few parts that were a tad unnecessary, but mostly, it was a "can't put down" sort of book for me.

This is about a young girl, raped and murdered - written by her as she settles into heaven, looking back at her family & friends and how they are affected by her murder. This is such a wonderful book. It tells of how a family copes, or doesn't, with the horror of such a thing. It is hard to explain, I'm sure this sounds like a horrendous book, but it isn't. It is most definitely worth your time.

This book is well written and easy to read. It has a unique spin in its POV character which I shan't give away. There is violence (rape) towards the beginning of the book--which is heartbreaking. Overall though, I liked the concept of the story and the main character's views on life. Excellent read if you can get past the rape--it'll be well worth it!

This was the best book that I have read in a long time. Amy Sebold's style of writing is extremely easy to read - her words just flow from the page. I honestly couldn't put this book down, and when I did ... I couldn't stop thinking about it.

This is a heart-wrenching weeper of a story that manages to uplift you. It has the most lovely sense of peace surrounding the tale.

Beautiful book. Out of a sensless tragedy, Sebold manages to mix pain and confusion with humor, heart and hope. I don't know about other readers but at many times throughout the novel it made me wonder about my loved ones up in heaven and hoped they were up there in heaven watching down as well, waiting to see me one day. I recommend this to anyone and can't wait to see the movie, although I am doubting it will be as breathtaking as the book was.

I absolutely loved this book. It's one that you'll want to read again and again. Ever wonder what happens to a person after they die? Well this book will give you one persons perspective on the matter. It's great!

Read All Book Reviews of "The Lovely Bones"

"The Lovely Bones" deals with the difficult subject of child rape and murder, but Sebold crafts wonderful characters and her description of typical 1970s suburbia is spot-on. The story's narrator is fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon, who is raped and murdered by neighbor George Harvey (whom Sebold gives a background as well, but it feels overdone and largely meaningless). Her death sends her family into a tailspin; her mother eventually leaves and her father suffers health problems. Her sister, Lindsey, takes it upon herself to help the police investigate her sister's death long after it's become a cold case. Susie's school friends are also altered by her death: Ray Singh, her first crush, becomes involved with artist Ruth, who also senses that the dead aren't so far away after they leave the earth. Sebold's description of personal heavens where Susie lives are beautiful and sad. This is a book that lives up to its hype.

what a wonderful book! i would not recommend it to anyone under say 16 because there is some content that wouldnt be appropriate. But I loved it. The writing is very unoque to anything else I have read.

A great book for someone who has had a loved one recently passed ... puts their emotions into a new perspective and is beautifully written.

I read the book and at first was quite interested, but found it disturbing the more I read. I personally would not recommend it, because it seemed a little "dark" to me.

This book was a little creepy, but I loved it.

Disturbing, profound, heartbreaking and as real as emotions can get. The writer did an outstanding job. The story and emotions brought forth will stay with you long after you finish the book. Definitely recommended.

this book really drew me in. i can't really say it was action-packed, but there was just something about it that kept the pages turning. couldn't put it down.

A hauntingly sweet story. I read through it eager to get to the end. I actually thought the end made it a bit more real. If I were a teen I suppose I would have made the same decision... I find myself at the most unusual moments thinking of the story and being grateful for what I have.

Thought it was a pretty good book. I like that she wasn't discovered her killer not caught because it made it more real for me since there are thousands of poeple who are never found or caught.

Sadly, I reread this recently and didn't find it to be as good as I remembered.

Read All Book Reviews of "The Lovely Bones"