Rating: 
Summary: An enchanting mystery
Review: Can't recommend this book highly enough. I loved it. The perspective of a victim following her friends and family through the aftermath of the crime was fresh; the writing crisp and witty and warm. And the ending was superbly worked -- not the neat all-ends-tied that you expected. You will love this work. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment...
Review: I was so disappointed in this book, after all the publicity! I love crime stories, but this one falls into some other category entirely. There's nothing compelling about this story, and the unusual plot device of having the dead girl narrate it wears thin early on. I gave up and never finished it.
Rating: 
Summary: Unique point of view
Review: I admit I approached The Lovely Bones with skepticism, because I generally avoid even so called "literary" books involving serial killers, a subject American authors exploit shamelessly. I was pleased to find the treatment of that part of the novel restrained, and overall I felt the novel was indeed lovely--well written and interesting, despite some unnecessary tangents. Unique point of view, even if it made for a somewhat detached story. For another unique and enlightening story about grief, read Fran Dorf's SAVING ELIJAH. In a novel some might mistake for a ghost story, the "ghost" helps the reader see and feel the mother's despair from the inside, in all its ugliness and terror, which makes for a moving and authentic, if perhaps more
intense, experience. Take it from someone who's experienced such a loss. Grief is anything but detached. It's intense.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful
Review: I thouroughly enjoyed this book. From Beginning to end I was captivated by the imagination in Suzie's Heaven. I truley want to believe that heaven will be what each of us percieves it to be ....whatever we want it to be.
This novel is a good soul kind of story ....i think those suffering from grief will benefit from the insight of the here after. Very moving.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible story...
Review: From the eyes of a child murdered - it is both saddening and at the same time inspiring. The story of a girl watching what happens on earth after she is murdered, it was hard to put down. With 3 kids I still HAD to finish it and did in 4 days. It is that hard to stop reading. I recomend it to anyone who has a heart but also likes the suspense of mystery also.
Rating:
Summary: one of my top three
Review: A very moving read. Of 2002, Lovely Bones made my top 3 list. 1) The Nanny Diaries 2) Babytales: A Pregnancy Companion 3) Lovely Bones
Rating:
Summary: superb
Review: This is the best book I've read in long time. I could not put it down. I loved Sebold's writing. Please read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Read This Book
Review: I could not decide if I wanted to read this book when I first heard about it because of the subject matter. I thought surely the death of a young girl was too depressing, but after hearing so many raves about it, I succumbed and picked it up. I am so glad I did. Narrated from heaven by Susie Salmon, a teen who was killed on her way home from school, this book casts an interesting and comforting perspective on what might happen to loved ones when they die. Although you know immediately who the murderer is, it is riveting to watch as family, friends and authority try to piece together who could have committed the crime. At the same time, the reader is drawn into the difficult journey of a family piecing together their lives while dealing with the tragedy of such a loss. This book has so many facets to it, and it pulls so many emotional chords. You will laugh and cry as Susie finds her place in heaven and accepts her departure from earth. This is a unique, touching story, one that will stay with its readers for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem!
Review: The best book I've read in years!
Rating:
Summary: This book haunted me!
Review: The Lovely Bones was chosen for our monthly book group and it was one of the few books I've read lately that I couldn't put down.
The author's use of symbolism throughout the book was sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always used well. Her storytelling had a raw and dark edge to it, and at times I felt that I didn't want to read any more because I was afraid for the characters' safety; then, at the most dangerous moments in the plot, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
I found, while reading the last few pages of the novel, that I desired the same closure that the protagonist did, and didn't want the novel to end before that closure was recognized. Sebold really allows her readers to feel that connection with Susie.
This novel stayed with me for days after I finished it, haunting me both when awake and asleep. I kept remembering small details from the plot that took on more meaning with time. Very few books are able to grow after the last page is turned - this is one of them.
I'd recommend this book to those who are interested in a gripping yet touching, well-written piece of literature.
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