Rating: 
Summary: Well-written and a nice change of pace
Review: I was expecting something different from this book. Maybe I was expecting something like your average run-of-the-mill murder mystery. This is definitely not another James Patterson serial killer book. It was well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm glad I read the book...and didn't even read it because of the hype. It's definitely worth the time to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting story; needed editing
Review: I thought the story line was well done and even uplifting (I loved the ending) and the viewpoint - a murdered girl relaying the action while watching from Heaven, as she grows and matures - is wonderful. But... I have to say that the book was very poorly edited. There were signs that the author had worked out a scenario for the murder - how Susie was killed, how her body dealt with - and then scrapped it and went with the scenario that is central to the story. Not a problem: authors do it all the time, except that I kept tripping over pieces of the older, earlier scenario that just didn't make sense in view of the fact pattern that was given. They needed to be cleaned up. As an example (without giving too many specifics), right after she was killed, in an underground location that was apparently never actually found, the killer dealt with her body using a waterproof bag, put it into a sort of box, and threw everything into a sinkhole. And yet, they find a part of the body, lots of blood, articles of clothing. And there is a mention of the body seeping through a garage floor? Definitely an example of the need for a timeline and a map in writing crucial scenes and setting up a plot. As another example, the science used for a 1960's - 70's murder is 1990's science. If you know anything about that subject, it detracts from the story, making you raise your head and say, "Huh? They didn't know that sort of thing back then!" That's just picky stuff that writers are supposed to be concerned with. And editors. (Why didn't someone work with the writer to 'tighten it up', I wonder...) Overall, this is a book with a deep understanding of character that seems to be due to the author's own experiences. The point of view is great, and the descriptions - for example, a moment when Susie's bereaved father catches a glimpse of her in the shards of broken glass - are sometimes breathtaking. Its popularity is deserved. But if you're a nit-picker and get annoyed with sloppy editing, you may wish to be ready to grit your teeth.
Rating:
Summary: The Lovely Bones: A Novel
Review: The book has an interesting premise. The writing was very good, but the story was a bit far fetched. A good book on a rainy Saturday afternoon, but not one I would highly recommend to others.
Rating: 
Summary: Heaven was never taught like this
Review: After the first 30 pages, I could not stop reading. Found her (Sebold's) description of heaven to be new and fascinating. While some of the plot was gruesome, it was also real. Feeling her family's emotion's throughout the book was a tug on the heart. The father stands out as the character with the most emotion and was a welcome change from "perfect mother" writing.
Rating:
Summary: Something was missing.
Review: I enjoyed the book. It was pretty hard to put it down and I finished it in 2 days. The first few chapters were excellent but as the book progressed, I was screaming for justice for Susie. Were they ever gonna find her body, and catch the murderer? ... Her body was never fully recovered, I felt something was missing. She came back to earth and did what... She could have done more than that. The author did not move me as much as I thought this book would. I guess in the end her true objective was to see how the family would cope and what they would do with their lives. It was worth my money...but I thought it would do more.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading
Review: I purchased this book because there was so much buzz about it, however, to me the ending of a book is important. The author must disagree with me. Although this book is a real page turner and very well written with a very interesting point of view, it leaves you at the end wondering what happens??? I can't stand that! Plus, with the book being a murder mystery, you would think that the author would give us more closure. I would recommed this book, however-it's one you don't want to put down but one that will let you down in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Experiencing death through Susie's eyes is incredible.
Review: A powerful story rich with experiencing the memory of living and dying. A brutal rape and murder takes you on an intense journey.
Rating:
Summary: WHO CARES ABOUT HYPE???
Review: I loved this book...It was beautifully written. I could imagine everything without any trouble and felt that it came from such an interesting perspective (from Susy in Heaven). I heard about this book from a few people, all rating it very high, according to their standards. Usually I will not read books that have gotten a lot of hype, that isn't how I work. Although, I loved the concept, so I read it anyway.
Suprisingly, I finished the book in one day, savoring every last word, hoping that her killer would get what I thought he deserved. The ending was very good, but I had hoped for a different justice for Harvey. She had an opportunity to tell where her body was and where her killer was, But instead decided to selfishly choose love. I was a little thrown off at the ending, thinking that she had the chance to put her family at ease at last and getting justice, but I guess that is just what I would have done in her position. I loved the book nonetheless. After having read a lot of different types of books, I feel that this is a great original work of fiction and am very upset that I might not get the chance to read something of this type again.
Wonderful! The Lovely Bones is original and beautifully written by Alice Sebold. I highly recommend it to anyone with an appreciation for original and well written work, and anyone with an imagination and open mind. Don't listen to the hype, listen to your heart.
Rating:
Summary: Good writing, quite disturbing
Review: It's the kind of story that draws you into it with a struggle because of the subject matter. Just when you thought that the world wasn't so bad, Sebold reminds you of life's everyday realities. All of her characters have depth and are so well-developed that their shortcomings were believable. I just hope that most police departments aren't so inept.
Rating:
Summary: A Page Turner
Review: Susie Salmon is your typical 14 year old girl. She just receive her first kiss and is a ninth grader ready to move up to high school. But sadly Susie will never get that chance. One snow December day in '73 as Susie walked precariously home from school she was lured by curiosity into an under ground tunnel by her neighbor Mr. Harvey only to not return alive. This book is Susie's story from Heaven. It is a tale filled with hope for happiness and sorrow for those lost. It is definately one book that leaves you feeling different, almost changed when you are finished.
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