The Lovely Bones

A story of a child murder and rape narrated by the victim, Susie Salmon, a 14 year old girl, from her heaven. What a great book. Alice Seibold's writing got me hooked within the first pages.I love the way the author describes such an horrifying story without being overwrought. A coming of age story of one's journey through life and death. Heartbreaking and touching story about family bonds, memory, and love.

Reader reviewed by Jess

In "The Lovely Bones", by Alice Sebold is about the after life of Susie Salmon and how she watches over her family and others. Susie, who was thirteen, had been murdered by her neighbor, Mr. Harvey. Now, Susie felt as if it was her job to guide her family to the clues that would solve the mystery of her death. Susie has to help while she watches her family struggle to cope with their loss. She also follows the lives of her friends from school and even her own murderer. This book is full of suspenseful moments that leave you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. As years go by with Susie watching from Heaven, they all learn things about themselves, including Susie. This book was sometimes confusing, because there are so many characters. Overall, I found it to be a great book with a lot of detail a dialouge. The book is by far better than the movie, so I recommend reading it before seeing the movie.

Reader reviewed by Adrienne

Wow, this book started off very intensely! I couldn't
put it down, but once I got past the aftershock of her murder, the
story kind of became a little boring. I really liked it, but it was a
little too sad to read about. One things for sure Alice Sebold can
really tell a powerful story of a teenage girl who is raped then
murdered by a male neighbor. I was surprised that only the first 4 or 5
chapters was about Susie's murder, then the rest was about her "life"
in heaven and how her family deals with her death. I really liked
Susie's sister, Lindsay. She was a very strong female character, and I
love how her life turns out with her childhood crush then husband.
Also, it was perfect ending with Mr. Harvey (the murderer, ex-neighbor)
dying by an icicle (the perfect murder). It was really interesting how
connected Susie was to her school friend Ruth and how Susie actually
went into her body and made love to her I guess boyfriend. This book
will have me thinking and I won't forget her tragic story. I highly
recommend it, and I give it 4 stars only because it was a little boring.

Reader reviewed by Krista

Susie Salmon (like the fish) was a fourteen-year-old girl who was brutally raped and murdered in 1973. The killer was her neighbor, the odd Mr. Harvey. Susie watches her loved ones mourn from her view in Heaven, while she tries to find solace herself.

Initially, The Lovely Bones sounds like a grim novel, and for the beginning of novel, it is. This is when the events immediately before and after the murder are described. As the novel progresses, readers learn that The Lovely Bones is not meant to be dark. Instead, it shows the healing process of death.

Susie has a voice beyond her age. While dead at fourteen, she only grew wiser in Heaven, and I loved this. However, sometimes, I think Sebold when a little too far. Some sentences were confusing, while others were plain corny. They were unneccessary and cluttered the book. Another thing I disliked was the end. It felt unbelievable and rushed.

While The Lovely Bones has small flaws, I do believe this is a book worth reading. It was powerful and successfully tackled the topic of coping with death. It was a smart choice to choose Susie as the narrator. I loved seeing her come to terms with her death while in Heaven. This is the first book Ive read that has shown the coping of ones own death, although Im sure there are more out there. Anyway, I definitely recommend you read The Lovely Bones if you have not already.

Reader reviewed by Carmen

Susie is fourteen when she is brutally raped and murdered.

She tells us her story, and the effect it has on the people she lived with, from heaven. Her murderer, cold and heartless, continues to kill. Still out there.
The characters are intriguing, well developed, and actually feel like people you might know. The book holds a certain air of truth about it. That no matter how ugly or horrible the world may seem, you can always choose to see all its beauty and hope.

Its loveliness

Reader reviewed by safia

Susie Salmon, the forever 14 year old, narrates from heaven. She observes earth, at her family and friends coping with her murder. In this intriguing story, we learn about Susie's time in heaven, her murderer, and how much Susie's death affected everyone close to her. This is a one-of-a-kind, not-to-miss story on love and loss.

Reader reviewed by Janine

This book really made you think. What is next after life ends? What about my family? Will I die peacefully or be ripped away in my prime like the main character in the story? It was wonderful, my favorite part was when the sister broke into the guys house and she wsa awalking with her. While they were there Susie suddenly knew what had happened to the other victums. It was wonderful. I also liked how Susie was narrating and she was talking about what happened to her but also included her friends and family's thoughts and memories. It's a spectacular read that will keep you glue to the book. I mean it's let-me-finish-this-chapter-stay-up-till-midnight-just-one-more-hour-I-can't-believe-that-happened-what's-going-to-happen-next good.

Reader reviewed by Wonk

Beautifully and eloquently written, The Lovely Bones is rich, sad, and somewhat depressing. It's an original, if disconcerting, look at the afterlife and the investigation of the murder of a young girl, and what happens to her family afterward. Written for adults, but the subject matter will probably appeal most to teenagers.

Reader reviewed by tee

Wow! I've just finished reading "the lovely bones" and it was amazing. From the opening lines i was caught - and the end held my breath! This will be one of those classics.