Rating: 
Summary: LOVED IT!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I generally don't read books like this for a message but, this book gave me peace. I read the last chapter 5 times, it really touched my heart.
I have recommended it to several of my friends who were also touched by it. Can't wait for the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite Lovely...
Review: But not quite ugly. Like a few other reviewers, I believe this book was overrated, simply because of its "original" originality. Few novelists dare challenge the pigeonhole they are often faced with as fiction writers. For example, if you are a literary writer then readers will expect something deeply profound and annoyingly thought-provoking. If you are a commercial fiction writer then people want shoot'em up's and "whodoneit" type of storylines. That said, I am glad to see that Ms. Sebold decided to ignore the stereotypes and be her own woman. Unfortunately, this came with some flaws that pertain mostly to the storyline. The novel started off great and ended almost great.However, it was the in between--where she rambled on about the lives of her characters a little too much--that slowed the pacing of the storyline. Though she used many clever passages and one liners("There was too much blood in the earth") she failed to bring the much needed tension I was looking for between Susie and the rest of the characters. In other words, there were times when I felt as though I was reading a memoir. Some of the lengthy narration I felt could have been replaced by dialogue. Perhaps this next critique is more of a complaint rather than a flaw, but I expected more lively descriptions of heaven and a stronger interaction between Susie and Franny(a character who I feel wasn't fully developed). But this was obviously how Ms. Sebold wanted it written, therefore I will not call it a flaw. The reason why I give this book four stars is because the writing itself is well written and though flawed, the storyline did have an impact by the time I had finished reading the book. I do recommend this book to whoever wishes to experience a nearly masterful story that will leave you, if not satisfied with the storyline, then it will most certainly leave you questioning whether or not someone you lost to death is there with you, watching your every move. The Lovely Bones is worth reading at least once.
Rating: 
Summary: No literary merit.
Review: An appealing characteristic of the book is the comfort is has given to people (see other reviews), and I applaud the book in this regard. However, viewed solely on its literary merit, not emotional merit, it deserved 1 star. After a quick beginning, Sebold's plot line deteriorates, and the writing style never goes beyond the level of Danielle Steel.
Rating:
Summary: Heaven, we can only hope...
Review: A great book that makes your heart hope that heaven is what the author makes it. It inspires your mind and opens your heart.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Heartbreaking
Review: The story being told by a murdered 14-year-old in the prime of her life is so beautfully put forth that it is both captivating and heartbreaking to the reader. Susie is lingering in between heaven and earth looking for some sort of closure to her vicious and untimely death. A beautiful rendering of family and loss, yet insightful and sad. A must-read!
Rating:
Summary: interesting point of view
Review: I enjoyed this book because I liked the creativity of the writer...her imagination of heaven. I liked how the family was followed throughout the years. And I thought the ending was very satisfying. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome read.
Review: I'm a freshman in college. This is one of the best books I've read in a while. Refreshing prose. It's a book that kept me thinking about the themes far after I finished the book. I didn't quite believe the body invasion scene, but otherwise a good read.
In answer to where is God in "The Lovely Bones", I liked that God was not addressed. Although Suzie was in heaven, it was up to the reader to decide specifics as to those larger questions. The "Where is God?" question was best unanswered to leave the focus on the impact of Suzie's death. Besides, I was able to identify with Suzie much more than if the author had sat down and told me what the afterlife is like, detail for detail.
A "lovely" book.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful read.
Review: This book moved me to tears before I even got past the third chapter. A wonderful, moving story. I look forward to reading more by Alice Sebold in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing....
Review: I guiltily admit I bought this book because of pre-release hype. Now I remember why I never read books "expected" to be earthshattering: they never are. "Lovely Bones" is yet another example. Early on, I was intrigued by Susie's abduction and subsequent Heaven, but it wasn't long before I found myself getting annoyed. Her Heaven wears thin quickly because it seems to lack true comfort and joy. Perhaps it more represents Purgatory. After all, there were so many references about moving on, away from Earth and further into Heaven. And one seemingly minor characteristic was huge in it's implication....Susie's friend, the deceased Holly, spoke perfect English because it was her wish to have no foreign accent in Heaven. Heaven is only American English? Anyway, moving on.... Halfway through I put the book down and didn't pick it back up for a good month. All the characters were completely empty of any emotion. I saw absolutely no true mourning of Susie, with the exception of her father. The mother was one of the most self-absorbed, indifferent women I've ever read in a novel (would readers be so understanding of her if it was a man behaving that way?) Lindsey began by cutting herself off emotionally from the world but there was never any development of that tendency, or her growing out of it. Buckley grew up to be bitter, but his character was completely dropped from the all-too-neat roundup at the end. Ray never seemed that taken by Susie or that broken up by her death, and there was no evidence of him holding her in his heart (even after his final, contrived and blockbuster film rip-off encounter with her). Ruth....I couldn't figure out if she was supposed to be a psychic with lesbian tendencies or just a girl touched by stories of murdered women. The grandmother was just plain annoying. And as for Susie, she watches all from Heaven/Purgatory but seems so emotionless; there isn't joy or pain, and it isn't long before the interesting twist of the dead observing from Heaven becomes just plain, old fashioned third-person narrative. Also, Susie and Lindsey, as young girls, are written far too maturely. Particularly Lindsey, who embarks on a sexual relationship at a frighteningly young age, yet with total womanly maturity. It is the rare author who can successfully write children; Sebold is clearly NOT one of them. So many more things were hinted at and abandoned: Len's emotional loneliness, Harvey's childhood, Ray's mother, the investigation, I don't have time to complete the list. I cannot recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Quite simply, this is one of the best books I've ever read. It was especially poignant to read during this past year, with the kidnappings, rapes, and murders of so many little girls all across our country. It brings the focus back where it belongs: on the pain and horror suffered by victims of violence and our noble, but often inept, system of justice.
| 
