The Lovely Bones

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Summary: A unique premise
Review: Most readers know by now that The Lovely Bones is told from the perspective of a deceased main character, Susie, a young girl who has been brutally raped and murdered. Oddly enough, this seemingly emotion-ladden story comes across as vague and emotionless. Susie's narration is so matter-of-fact that much of the emotional impact of what she is describing is lost. The author portrays the reactions of Susie's family to her death in a very real and well-written manner, yet there is a distance there--perhaps the distance that Susie herself feels as she looks down on her loved ones from heaven. From Susie's perspective, we see heaven as a place that is wonderful yet also sad, as paradise does not prevent Susie from longing for those she left behind. The story meanders through many years, never quite reaching a point of conclusion. Although I found this novel to be disappointing, Sebold certainly has shown significant promise for the future, and I wouldn't hesitate to read her next book.

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Summary: Compelling
Review: This novel herald among the best of the best in NY times bestsellers; so it was no surprise that this book has to be read. Sebold is an amazing writer able to articulate feelings into words. I found myself tearing as the emotions flow along the pages. I like this book, but I don't love it, it did not deliver a great ending to the characters, but I suppose that is the beauty of it. The book is about a girl who was brutally killed; her killer at large; her soul linger among her love ones and witnessing the pain of her untimely death.

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Summary: absolutely loved it
Review: i loved this book. i was reluctant to read it at first. but when i had no book to read for school i finally picked it up.sebold did a wonderful job, in my belief in describing her vision of heaven.i also liked how it wasnt all about finding the murder. you had not only susies' point of viewbut you were also able to watch the family cope with the grief and slowly but surely recover and move on with their lives

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Summary: Lucky was Better!
Review: After reading Alice Sebold's memoir, Lucky, I rushed out to pick up her first novel. I had read how she had started writing this book and was forced to stop and write Lucky first so she could move past her own experiences with rape and focus on Susie Salmon.

I was disappointed. Sebold's style in Lucky is raw and real but her style in Lovely Bones seems contrived and capricious. Although I connected well with Susie, the other characters in the story were flat and uninteresting. I would highly recommend Lucky as an alternative Sebold pick for all those who felt let down by this bestseller (and for those who loved it!). It is an incredible account of a serious crime with lots of dark humor but minus the murder and syrupy sweetness of Lovely Bones.

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Summary: Awesome book for anyone.
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. The perspective of Susie from heaven is a stroke of genius.

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Summary: Not what I expected
Review: I picked up this book becuase I had heard phenominal things about Alice Seabold and there seemed to be a lot of anticipation for the release of this book. First and formost, I must tell you its NOT a murder mystery as the synopsis lead me to think. Its not about finding the killer or anything. Its basicly about a family's healing process after a daughter was murdered. I proably would't be so bitter about the book had I known the focus wasn't on the murder, but on the family instead. Other than that, the writing was eloquent but a touch on the flowery side at times. Not a terrible read as long as you understand where its suposed to lead.

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Summary: A Fascinating Read!
Review: This book is haunting. I hesistate to use that word, "haunting", because so many people interpret it in a negative way. That's not how I wish to use it in this case. What I mean by saying that this book haunts you is that it's characters stay with you. And when I finished the book, I found myself mourning the characters as though I had lost someone I knew. And yet, when I put it into perspective this book is just about life. These people, these characters, just trying to get through life and all it's complexities. Sebold does an incredible job creating this story and in the end manages to pull it all together with an unexpected happy ending.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is an extraordinary book. You will not be able to put it down. A heartbreaking and heartwarming book.

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Summary: Everything you need in a book
Review: The Lovely Bones was an excellent book, full of suspense, mystery, betrayal, and love. It is quite graphic, and kept the interest of a senior guy in high school like me. It had humour in it, as well as sex and violence. Alice Sebold twisted these elements into a quite captivating story.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book
Review: I was afraid to read this book at first - as a mother, I thought it might be overwhelmingly sad to read about such a horrible loss. I decided to take the plunge, however, after reading many glowing reviews, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover how hopeful the book really was. I have never lost anyone close to me, but if I had, I think I would feel reassured by this novel - the knowledge that my loved one is not so far away and the hope that a lost child could go on to live a child's life in Heaven. The ending seemed a bit too neat, but all in all a wonderful book and well worth reading.