The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Lovely Bones
Book Review: Great book
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't put this book down. I must've read it in 2 days! It was just as the editor wrote, "funny and surprising." The plot made the story so compelling. I'd read it again, and would love to see it made into a movie. In fact, a movie similar to this storyline is coming out in movie theatres soon, called "Invisible." Enjoy the book!Book Review: Great reading at a great price
Summary: 5 Stars
This story was very touching. It goes from extreme tragedy to dealing with everyday life with perfection. Highly recommendedBook Review: Hmmm...?
Summary: 3 Stars
The novel started out in a fast-paced, haunting description of Susie Salmon's rape and murder, which was powerful enough to make me wince. Gradually, the book began losing its momentum and twisted at places which didn't require a turn of events. I was simply confused when Susie's mother committed adultery with Detective Len Fenerman, and began to read with frustration---why in the world did Mrs. Salmon choose this particular point in time to become a "woman"? There was another part in the book which knit my eyebrows considerably---Susie falling from the sky, taking over Ruth Connors' body, and engaging in sexual intercourse with Ray Singh. Huh?
I particularly liked the beginning and ending of the book, but despised what was in the middle. I guess the only thing which kept me from putting down the book eternally, was that I was doing this for a book report. The book DID have some good moments, such as when Mr. Salmon tries to explain that Susie was dead to her 5 year old brother, Buckley.
This book was extremely hard to do a book report on because it had too many characters and too many conflicts, but I'd recommend it to you if you're just plain bored.
Book Review: Incredible
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was incredible. Its emotional impact is astounding and I would recommend it for anytone mature enough to handle the adult material. Its characters were beautifully portrayed and developed and the plot, although simple, was never boring. The book is extremely powerful and very easy to connect with. I definitely suggest reading it!Book Review: Interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
If you can get past the first part of the book, where a child is rpaed and murdered, you'll discover a very unique story. The characters are relatively forgettable and you don't really latch on to anyone other than Susie (the raped and dead girl) and her killer. But, the fact that the story is being told by Susie, from a heaven-like place, is an unique approach. She watches her family and friends and she attempts to guide them to her killer. She, unknowingly, also works towards a place where she can find peace within herself and allow her family to find peace.
The beginning rape scene of The Lovely Bones was actually written prior to Sebold's first book, a memoir called Lucky. Lucky is a book about Sebold's own rape, back in 1981, when she was eighteen. This is interesting to know because it tells me where she found the courage to write about such a creepy topic - not just rape, but the rape and death of a child. It is also interesting to note that her family, as described in the memoir,is very much like the family in The Lovely Bones. They are detached from one another and the parents are more screwed up than the kids. Even the home in which the characters lived in Bones is very much like Sebold's own country home.
I guess my point is this: I've read both books and appreciated them. I appreciate the fact that Sebold has taken a very personal experience and turned it in her favor. I would also recommend them to, more or less, any reader. However, after two books about the rape of young women, I'm hoping for something different from Sebold. Otherwise, it's just an indicator that she hasn't let go of this experience and cannot grow as a writer. She's very creative and I look forward to her next offering.
I have also written a review of Lucky, if you're interested.