Rating: 
Summary: Original, unusual, unpredictable ... and a bit syrupy too.
Review: This is one of the few books I've read this year that grabbed me from page one and kept me hooked for a good while. The first four chapters are as hypnotic as a car crash, but after that the book settles down and there are some slow patches. Despite the occasional lapse into cliches like life-altering first kisses and first sex and other such familiar territory, Sebold still manages to make you care about her characters and reading until you find out what happens to them. I was definitely caught by surprise at what happens to the killer, though she drops the hints along the way. While the ending will satisfy most readers, I was a bit disappointed by its simplicity.
Rating:
Summary: quick reading!!
Review: this was an amazing book... I could not stop and just keep turning the pages. Read it in two days my only complain is the end.I think the author loose it at the end. She went on to that supernatural thing that was uncall for. But otherwise really good and keep you in suspense to know if the family will discover who in the neighbohood did it? and how will they cope? As in any fiction it is a bit unrealistic.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Perspective
Review: First of all, the narrator is the dead Susie Salmon. She was killed. From the heaven above, she supposedly tells the story while watching her family and close friends on earth. Reminds me of the movie 6th Sense. OK don't read it if you couldn't bear that idea.This is exactly what makes the book interesting. She could see everything, things seem to be so close, but she couldn't do anything. Helpless. As the story unfolds in a remarkably descriptive way, the suspense continues. My heart reaches for those girls with similar fate, and especially the families. I wish the truth would be disclosed and everybody gets what (s)he deserves. A closure. But no, this is a different story. What we want is not exactly what we need.
Rating: 
Summary: Read a hallmark card instead
Review: This book is completely trite...While the idea is interesting, the execution is majorly lacking.
Rating: 
Summary: not much to say
Review: After having read this book, I honestly don't hold any great memories about it - just what everyone above says about it, plus to me it seems like a totally made-up story told by a 14 year old - and just that, its vocabulary is easy to read (for I am spanish)and it strikes me like the writer tries to make it somehow thrilling, but it only ends up giving you the minimum bit of energy that you need to finish the book - nothing thrilling, nothing to share, really. Plus, her life was so normal, their lives are so common there's nothing extra that makes you feel anyhhow.
Rating:
Summary: Overhyped!
Review: I agree that this 'novel' is completely overhyped (which is exactly the reason I winded up with it in the first place). I never got past Chapter 7 or so -- with not even a clue nor desire to know how it ended. I just can't understand why it keeps popping up in articles, magazines and the like. It just seems to me that any work of literature that is lucky enough to get the right media attention can magically appear to be a work of art. Not so in this case; I'm befuddled.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost true to form
Review: What wonderful writing talent.
I am very involved in the spiritual aspects of life
and find this book to be very similar to my belief of
what Heaven...proper...must truly be like. The book is an easy read.
Alice creates such a normalcy to each of the characters.
The descriptions and dialogue is believable. You can imagine being her father who has defined the killer and now just needs proof. You can understand the obsession Dad feels. You can totally understand Mom's conflict in connecting to closely with those in law enforcement as her last hope and only possible connection to her daughter. I tend to like reads about After Life, Spiritual topics, all of the subjects that make you think outside the lines.
Even though this is fiction...it certaintly falls inside of the same perimeters of the other books I read. And I think, has more truth to descriptions than imagined. We can only hope.
A great book.
And I would love to know more about the author... Alice Sebold. Just seems like Alice has quite a connection
to what lies beyond.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it right now!
Review: The Lovely Bones deals with the difficult issue of rape -- only survival is not in the picture this time. The book's protagonist and narrator is 14 year old Susie Salmon. Susie is brutally raped and murdered by a creepy next door neighbor, George Harvey. Susie tells her story from up in Heaven. She recounts in gross detail her rape and murder and voyage into heaven. Some of the most fascinating parts of the book are when Susie describes what her personal heaven looks, feels, sounds and smells like. It is both touching and amusing. The book deals quite effectively with what it is like to lose a loved one. Susie is able to watch her family and (everyone else she knew down on earth including her murderer) and how they cope (or are unable to cope) with her sudden death. Sebold examines what it is like for Susie's friends and family after they have lost a daughter or a sister or a granddaughter or a girlfriend. It is all so real it is almost frightening. The novel takes a number of interesting twists and turns. One of which is completely unexpected. I remember thinking to myself as I started this novel "How long will I be able to read about people coping with death?" But this novel is about so much more than that. The Lovely Bones is about spirituality. It is about bravery, individuality and finding oneself. Each of the main characters are on a quest to find themselves. All in all the book is fascinating and superbly written. I promise you will not be disappointed. I purchased this book through Amazon.com right after another great purchase, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, about an unlucky writer addicted to the personals. Both are intense, recommended books. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: It could happen...
Review: I liked the narrative but thought the last 1/3 of the book was a tad unrealistic. But overall a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: I really looked forward to reading this book and must admit I couldn't put it down as there as some lovely passages in the book. But ultimately it was disappointing. Susie is the main protagonist who was brutally raped and murdered at the age of 14. She narrates from heaven. I was so disappointed in this aspect. Her heaven sounded more like hell! There is no real mention of God or the peace that passes all understanding. Also, they don't celebrate Christmas in her heaven despite the fact her family are Christian! No one seems to be happy there. There is mention of her family going to church but nothing about asking God for help or even getting angry at God for their terrible tragedy. Then there is the ridiculous ending with her spirit inhabiting a former friend so she can have sex with a boy she had a crush on before she died! After all, she was only 14 years old and she had been raped, murdered and dismembered! She wanted to have sex!!! REALLY SILLY! I feel that the author could have done so much more with all this because it was such an intriguing premise and could have been so much better. I really looked forward to reading this much hyped book and must admit I couldn't put it down as there as some lovely passages in the book and also because I was still hoping for more insight. But ultimately it was disappointing.
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