Rating: 
Summary: Like a trance......
Review: It takes me a long time to finish a book. I started reading this book one evening and found myself halfway through, trapped in it entirely. Finished the book the very next night. Not only is this book very well written, but it takes you to a place that few authors have explored before. Have you ever imagined what is going through a person's mind right before their death? In the case of this book, you nearly become one with Susie as she is enduring this initial torture, feel her relief knowing that she had survived and was going to make it through, then fall apart with her as the reality becomes true that she was not, in fact, going to make it at all. Although the beginning is rather tough to take, you become entranced by Susie, her life after her death and have hope that you have loved ones gone by that watch after you and that you may be able to do the same someday.
Rating:
Summary: heartwarming and heartbreaking
Review: When I read the description of this book it really intrigued me, but I was afraid it would be morbid. I was very surprised on how the characters drew me in to their lives. It is not so much about the murder of a young girl but how her family and friends cope with the tragedy of losing her, and how she deals with heaven. Over the years she watches over her loved ones and follows the murder investigation. She sees her siblings growing up and her parents dealing with the pain. But what I found most interesting was Alice Sebolds vision of heaven. And how she developes the character of the girl in heaven. I was very content with the ending, and if they ever make a movie of the book,I hope they don't change it. A very thoughtful read.
Rating: 
Summary: Sophomoric!
Review: This book is a feel-bad/feel-good adolescent fantasy that somehow through a blast of publisher's hype managed to glug up the throats of the literary critics and win their praise to become a bestseller. But where in heaven have their literary standards gone? This is a 328-page Hallmark card for adolescent girls and not the literary wonder they proclaim. The only wonder is the number of people who got suckered into buying this sappy comic book vision of loss and grief.
It's characters are dull, flat and their motivations poorly conceived (e.g., the alcohol-soaked grandmother with the good heart); the dialogue doesn't sound like real people talking; the plot is clumsy, jumping years ahead in the second half only because the author didn't know what else to do; its style is pretty at best, but usually saccharine and forced. The contrivances are embarrassing (e.g., the wife abandoning her family then returning after 5 years because her husband had a heart attack). ... Give us a break, Ms. Sebold! And grow up, critics: You are suppose to know better, to recognize sophomoric, sentimental slop from literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as it could have been
Review: I was a little disappointed in the book. It's a great story...about a girl (Susie) who watches her family and friends from above trying to cope with her murder (and trying to deal with it herself)...but I had a hard time getting into the characters. They were a bit dull to me (except maybe for the Grandmother) The description of Susie's heaven was rather boring as well. I think Sebold could have made this a little more interesting. I also wanted to know more of what was going on in the head of the murderer...but we didn't get to spend much time there either. The story itself was enough to keep me interested...and the ending was the best part (to me.)
Rating:
Summary: This book exceeded my expectations...
Review: While I am a voracious reader, I have never taken the time to actually pen my own review. After reading The Lovely Bones, I realized that maybe I just hadn't read a book that struck that kind of chord for me before. This book grabbed you from the first paragraph and didn't let go. It was written with such an intesity that at times I had to put it down just to regroup to continue reading with the attention that the book demanded. The viewpoint was refreshingly different and the characters were flawed...which keeps this book from being over-the-top. The ending was a little anti-climactic- but I forgive the author, I was infinitely pleased by the content. There isn't anyone in the world that I wouldn't recommend this book to.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely Bones
Review: This book is horrible. It was a nice novel up until the last 10 pages or so and then it got really disurbing. She was writing a sweet, funny, touching book and then it got perverted and weird. The ending is not at all what it should have been --it leaves you feeling like you've watched kiddy porn. Don't bother reading this book - left me feeling really uneasy and troubled.
Rating:
Summary: Why You Shouldn't Miss Reading This Book
Review: If you take a pass on reading this book, you will be missing one of the most unique, unusual, and creative fiction stories that has been on the market for many years. The only other books that are so unique, unusual, and creative are the "Harry Potter" and "Lord Of The Ring" type books (in fiction), and, "West Point:..." (Norman Thomas Remick) in nonfiction (creative nonfiction). If you want an unusual experience, you shouldn't miss reading Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones".
Rating: 
Summary: Life after Death
Review: This is a beautifully written story from the perspective of a young murdered girl, Susie, who now resides in heaven. We are able to know what Susie's heaven is like, what she is doing there and how she feels about the people left behind her, here on earth. The story deals with the aftermath of her death and how everyone is affected by her murder. The grieving process is depicted in an insightful and accurate manner. I thought that the book was both funny and sad. The characters are memorable and fascinating in their attempts to deal with the loss of one of their own. It is a story that will stay with you for some time, even after the cover is closed.
Rating:
Summary: What's all the hype?
Review: I don't quite understand what the hype is about. The story moved too slowly for me. There was a lot of description and detail - a lot of which I felt unnecessary - that slowed the story down. This is a contemplative book, not a page-turner. More time is spent on long descriptions than on the events of the story. Also, there is no sense of justice for Susie's murder. Mr. Harvey's ultimate fate seems hallow and empty and the murder is never solved. The family never gets a real sense of closure, but just kind of falls to pieces ... Not a depressing book, but far from satisfying, either.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful, short life
Review: This is a most amazing book, for it manages to tell seamlessly tell the story of many disparate people who are all affected deeply by the murder of 14-year-old Susie Salmon. Salmon narrates from "her" heaven (which Sebold is careful to differentite from any else's idea of heaven). Because of this creative device, the author can see into any mind and any life. This omnisicent viewpoint--once popular, but now out of favor--truly makes the book vibrate with feeling. The characters are beautifully drawn and their reactions believeable. The writing, especially the descriptions of Susie's heaven is so lush and sweet. Susie is never bitter, never vindictive, never judgmental, just an impartial observer on what was too short of a life. Some people feel the description of Susie's death is too grisly, but I found it sensibly succinct, without any lingering on gore or depravity. In fact, I doubt I've ever seen this subject handled better. Tiny gripes: the bad guy is dispatched too cleanly, the cops are way too bungling to be believed, and there are some editing glitches when seasons get mixed up. Certainly none of these are enough to ruin the reading experience. This is a true treat for any reader.
|
