Book Reviews of The Lovely Bones

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!

This book was written in such a way that I just did not want to put it down. It kept me up later than I ever should have been.

It was a Monthly choice from my book club and everyone gave it exceptional scores.

You want a book that is riviting check this one out.

This is a wonderful story and a fast read. Can be slightly disturbing for anyone who is sensitive to sexual assault. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book! This story draws you in and it's impossible to put down, Scary. sad, wonderful, so many words describes this compelling, exciting novel.

I first found out about this book through a list of must-read books. I read the description of the book and at the time, it just didn't seem like something I'd want to read. Then I saw the preview for the movie, and it was so interesting that I decided to give the book a try. I'm glad I did! I absolutely loved it. It is heartbreaking, and it made me cry, but it's so beautifully done that I think everyone should read it.

It starts in a dark,dark place. Keep reading, this is a very positive, life-affirming story. This book will stay with me for some time. The story ends up in the light.

Sebold does an incredible job of taking us to the place of the narrator but I didn't like that place and didn't want to be there. I had to force myself to finish reading this and would have been quite happy if someone had just told me how it all ended. Great writing and a very unique story but her concept of heaven was just distressing to me.

I personally loved this book. I thought the writing was wonderful and the characters were developed so well that you really got to know them. Maybe I liked it so much because I had a death in my family when I was young, and this book is all about a young lady who was murdered looking down at her family from heaven. Whether there is any truth or not to the afterlife, this book made me feel a little bit better because you feel like the person you've lost is never really gone. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially someone who has lost someone they loved. I thought it was sad but hopeful and really just wonderful.

One of the best stories I have read in a long time. Moving, original, and well-written.

I purchased this book because I had been informed that it was a great story. The writing was terrific, easy to read, and elegant. I was told that the characters were engaging, especially the special main character of the book.

I found the book to be dark and disturbing. I never finished it, and gave it away immediately. Admittedly, many people may not feel this way--I do because it "close to home". I had a beloved nephew who was carjacked and murdered.

I would caution anyone who is in any way sensitive to the topic of murder, physical and sexual abuse to be careful about reading this book. The little of it that I did read gave me nightmares for many nights.

Characters are written genuinely and lovingly. Tear jerking, realistic book until towards the end when it became some sort of campy ghost story. I felt that the method the author employed to give Susie some closure to her life on Earth was lazy and cheesy. I didn't care for any elements of the ending....but the rest of the book...written in a simple and page turning style...was wonderful.

A page turner, for sure! I loved this book. Told from the perspective of a child who passed on in a violent manner. Sounds like it'd be heavy but its actually more light than you'd think. One of those books that has you thinking about it for weeks after you finish it.

i'm suprised i even finished this book, though i must say i don't ever walk away from a book. i can't believe they are making a movie out of this. what is hollywood thinking! i do not recommend it.

I had a hard time getting into the book in the first couple chapters, but then I couldn't put it down. I don't think the title works for this book, however, it is a very good read. Don't get discouraged if you aren't sucked into it right away, you won't be disappointed.

I couldn't put this book down. It was so intriguing. It definitely gives a new spin on death. I'm not sure how I wanted it to end, but the ending was too abrupt, I wanted something more. THe book was excellent and I still highly recommend it.

This is an excellent book. Very different from anything I have read before. Told from the narrative of a murdered girl and how she watched people cope with her death. It's hard to explain but I very much recommend it.

Beautiful book with a great story. One to be read leaisurely.

An excellant read! A must have!

This is a very thrilling book. It is strange and compelling.

The story begins with more horror than can be imagined and ends with more beauty than you can hope for...A compelling read!

Great book. Makes you think at points, and cry at others. Goes through a season in the middle of the book where you're sure it's bound to become stereotypical teen lit-style trash, but it comes out of it quickly. Would recommend this book to my friends. :)

Strange book but it kept me intrigued to finish. Definately gives a different perspective on death.

You may be tempted to stop reading this book during the first chapter, but make a point of sticking with it. It is fascinating. Lucky, the real-life personal memoir of Alice Sebold will give you some insight as to how and why this phenomenal writer composed this brilliant piece of fiction.

"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.

I didn't think I was going to like this book when my sister-in-law gave it to me. After 2 pages I couldn't put it down! It's about a teenage girl who was murdered and is watching her family and friends from heaven. Interesting and intriguing.

I could not put this book down.. a great read!

I literally could not put it down! Beautifully written but suspenseful all at once.

One of my favorites. Keeps the reader interested until the very end.

Susie Salmon, murdered at age fourteen is adjusting to her new home in Heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, while back on earth her grief-stricken family is unraveling.

Absolutely a great book to read!

Loved this book! I have been meaning to read it for years and finally actually got it from a fellow "swapper". Now I am returning the favor. Great story, strong characters, nice writing style and easy to follow. Had me turning pages faster than usual!

A strange tale told from the point of view of the murdered heroine. Very readable

#1 National Bestseller. Very good book. Different kind of story. Story is told in first person by a 14 year old girl who was murdered.

Young girl has been murdered and adjusts to her new home in heaven. Suspenseful and humorous.

A fascinating and fantastical look at the process of grief and healing.

This is a very good book, written from the point of view of a murdered teenager, from her new vantage point in heaven.

good book.

Susie Salmon, murdered at age fourteen, is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected.

An amazing story, couldn't put it down.

A strange, wonderful, even funny book, written in the voice of a girl who was murdered.

An amazing and quick read.

good spin on life after death

Great book on a very distressful subject. Gives you hope about your loved ones in Heaven. Touching and powerful.

Susie Salmon, murdered at age fourteen, is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, while back on earth her grief-stricken family is unraveling. Out of unspeakable tradegy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy. This phenomenal #1 bestseller is a novel celebrated at once for its narrative artistry, its luminous clarity of emotions, and its astonishing power to lay claim to the hearts of millions of readers around the world.

This is a very good story of a young dead girl.

I couldn't put this book down

this was a most interesting read. It was not what i expected

national best seller

The opening page shocks, the first chapters rivet, and the story envelops. Very Good Book.

Wow...interesting book and views of heaven from the author!

The book was very brilliant and a page turner till the end. It was horror, sadness, funny and exciting all in one.

An excellent story. Well written the story moves along at a steady pace. I do like the author's take on "heaven".

This is a very interesting book. A young girl meets with a horrible fate and how she made her place in her heaven. A very touching story.

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