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Summary: A lovely, bittersweet story
Review: When I began this book, I admit I had a difficult time "getting into it" as I had just finished another book very different in tone. About halfway through (and it reads quickly), however, I was sucked in. I think what was hard for me was that you have to suspend disbelief in order to let the story draw you in. But once it does...look out. At the end I was both crying and cheering for Susie Salmon. And I found myself thinking about this book days after I read the last page. If I had to compare Alice Sebold to any other author, it would have to be Margot Livesy. It reminded me of Livesy's "Eva Moves the Furniture" (also a great book). I'm a public librarian and so I read as much as I can not just for my own pleasure--but to know what to recommend to my patrons. This book is a must-read.
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Summary: Buy And Read This Book Today
Review: This is the most beautiful text I have yet to lay my hands on. I drank this up in two evenings, and dreamt about it for longer. I did not want it to end. The innocence and frankness in the slaughtered girl's voice as she deals with the loveliness of her Heaven versus the sadness affecting her loved ones on Earth is compelling. A new point of view of what happens after one dies, from both the dead and the living.
Touching - I laughed, cried, got angry and felt overwhelmed by the time I closed the back cover. BUY THIS BOOK TODAY.
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Summary: Dead Girl Tells the Story
Review: Alice Sebold has written a breathtaking story and unfolds the pages through the words of a dead girl who reveals her life and how she died. The writing is at once alive and fresh. If you think that the voice of a dead girl as a narrator sounds a bit hokey and unbelievable you are just like I was before I started reading. From the outset, though, I was I was captivated. This is great stuff -- the story and Sebold's style are superb. Wow.
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Summary: Outstanding read.
Review: Having read several reviews about the subject of this book, it was a bit difficult for me to decide to actually sit down and read it. But, it kept pulling at me, and, after hearing the author talk about writing the book, I knew I would have to read it. Once, I finally did open it, I gulped it down in one sitting. Like many other readers, I was sorry to see it end, but, unable to slow down. I hoped for peace for Suzie's family, and, justice to catch up with Mr. Harvey. Ms Sebold reminds me that, very often, life deals to us in ways we never would have expected or wanted, but, she reminds me so gently that I am left shaking my head saying, 'That's right, that's how things are here.'
I highly recommend this book, and, look forward to anything else Ms Sebold offers in the future.
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Summary: Don't Believe the Hype
Review: I was anxious to read this book because of all the hype surrounding it. I read this in an evening (I average about a book a day) and was disappointed. I have read that this is destined to be a classic like "To Kill A Mockingbird," which is my favorite book of all time. Uh, sorry, I don't see this being required reading at high schools. The book is very well-written, the descriptions are beautiful and some of the passages are heartbreaking. It is a bit weird, especially toward the end, with the narrator being dead and the very quick passage of time. It is a touching story and I found myself getting a bit choked up but this is not a book I will read over and over again and or even probably think about a week from now. Please read this and enjoy it, but don't fall into the trap of this being one of the greatest novels ever written as some people would have you believe.
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Summary: Thought Provoking, Comforting, and Beautiful.
Review: Alice Sebold should get five stars for imagination alone. Her conception of the afterlife as seen through the eyes of a murdered fourteen year old is unique and original and will have you seeking out people who've read the book so you can talk about it.I found the book hard to put down once I started, and a little awed by the flood of emotions it managed to stir up. I've tried hard to stay away from reading many of the reviews until I was finished because I didn't want to know too much. Hard to classify: Ghost story? Suspenseful mystery? Painful and honest family portryal? It seems to capture so many different facets in an honest and affirming way I don't think you can help but be affected. This little girl, her life and death with stay with you. A book truly worthy of its accolades.
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Summary: It made me feel better
Review: My family endured a terrible crime to a member and this book caught the same feelings that we all went through: the inital shock and confusion, the physically wrenching feeling when the finality really sets in, the thoughts of "what can I do now, how can I fix this?", the physical and emotional backlash years later, and the final making of peace with the pain. The pain never leaves, but you do make friends with it and life will go on. This is a wonderful book about the healing process after such a terrible thing.
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Summary: Such a great book!
Review: Unlike many of the other reviewers on this site, I had heard nothing about this book before its release. I did, however, notice it was one of the bestsellers before the release date, so I was eager to purchase it when it hit the shelves. From the first paragraph, I was engulfed in Susie's world. The main character is so "real," even though she's dead at the novel's onset. I couldn't put it down and was sad to see it end. I did note two downsides: a bit of a hard-to-believe cross between the dead and the living (akin to an X-Files script) toward the end and a lack of closure with the killer. I wanted to see more of the investigation and an arrest. I strongly recommend this book!!! I can't think of one of my friends who wouldn't enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: This book was alright. I read it while traveling on business to pass the flying time. It was entertaining to say the most. I regret spending the money on the hardback. I would recomend buying it when the paperback comes out or get it from the library. The most interesting part is that the young girl is teling the story from heaven. Not the best book but not the worst either.
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Summary: I miss this book already....
Review: I bought this book after seeing Anna Quindlen on the Today show and felt the book lived up to the publicity. I finished the book last night and am so sorry to have finished it, still wanting to know what is happening with Susie and her family. Ironically, my husband is out of town on an extended trip and I actually felt so lonely reading this book, echoing Susie's feelings about wanting to be with her family. I enjoyed the premise of the story, but I also think the strength of book is the quality of the writing. I look forward to future books from Alice Sebold.
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