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Summary: Susie: A Unique Storyteller
Review: The Lovely Bones is a book I couldn't put down until I was finished and I didn't want it to end. Sebold's device of having Susie, the murder victim, tell the story from heaven gives us a unique viewpoint of the effect of her murder and her loss on family, friends, and even people that Susie hadn't known in life. In life as individuals in such a situation go through the stages of grief, each focuses on his or her own response; their world becomes very small. The family in The Lovely Bones is no different; each starts on his or her journey of loss and coping, growing apart from each other. Susie the storyteller, is in the
position to see into the lives and thoughts not only of those who grieve for her loss, but also into those of her killer. She watches the growing apart of her family, and in her way, helps to effect their eventual coming back together. Along the way, she describes her experience of the afterlife and her growing knowledge, that although she is separated from her family, and that their grief will lessen and they will move on, she will forever be present in each of them. Susie, in heaven feels the separation as profoundly as her family and yearns for them and the experiences her early death has denied her. As in life, there is no easy resolution of the crime that takes her away from her family, but in many ways, the murder is the least of this story. As the sister of a teenaged murder victim, I read this book in her memory; she will have been gone for 31 years this month. In some way, her absence makes her forever present, but in a matter-of fact way, not that horribly empty torn away feeling that is the first response to a death. I found the story to be filled with wisdom, a gentle humor, a terrible sadness, and much truth in its description of the way grief changes us, but ultimately, Susie's voice comforted me. Grandma Lynn,the wisecracking, often tipsy, salt of the earth backbone of the family is priceless. I highly recommend this book for its unique perspective on a shattering event in the life of a family and a community.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting book but does not live up to pre-marketing hype
Review: I agree with a few of the other reviewers on two fronts: a) the book is an easy, quick read that is both interesting and engaging and b) I expected something greater based on the pre-marketing hype. I felt that Sebold could have left out the chapter where Susie had the opportunity to explore earthly moments (a la the movie "Ghost") and left it a better book. I found this particular chapter out of line with the character development and story line to that point.
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Summary: A guy who hates Oprah Book Club but loved this book
Review: Based on hype, bought this book. It is thought provoking (what is death, what is heaven) disturbing (the evil of the murderer/rapist) touching (the portrate of adolescent love is right on) inventive (the whole notion of a narrator in heaven, who can observe current and past life everywhere on earth is an irresistable twist on the omnipresent narrator). Most of all the story is very good and interesting, and is told almost entirely without the sort of overwrought prose which too often infects books like this. In short, amazingly, this book rings true.
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Summary: Lovely Bones, Lovely Book!
Review: My first thought on finishing The Lovely Bones, I'd probably read the best book I'll read this year..I read an ARC copy when I saw it was now available I was almost sad that I'd already read this wonderful book and didn't have it to look forward to...Don't be put off by what sounds like a rather depressing story, it is anything but that...it is almost a comforting read..Susie's heaven is one that left me smiling and actually picturing people I love who have died in just such a wonderful place..and if you are an animal lover there is one scene in this book that will touch you in a very special way...a special book this is!
Rating:
Summary: Exquisite read!
Review: I read "Lucky" in one evening, and "The Lovely Bones" is just as masterful. You will fall in love with Susie as she tells her story from heaven. You will thank heaven that we have a writer like Alice Sebold.
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Summary: An Incredibly Different Point of View
Review: I picked this book up and could not put it down. The very first sentance captured me. It was very moving and I can not wait to read it a second and third time!
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Summary: A perfectly wonderful reading experience
Review: This is not a perfect book, but it is a perfectly wonderful read --one of the best I have enjoyed in years. (and I'm very picky). THE LOVELY BONES is about the rape and murder of a young teenager, her observation (from heaven) of family and friends on earth, and it is about the healing power of grief. It is disturbing, haunting, lovely, painful, magical, hopeful, lonely, warm and funny. There are certain phrases and paragraphs that you will want to re-read because they resonate. You won't be able to put it down and then towards the end you will want to make the book last longer. It is strange and wonderful.
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Summary: This book took my breath away
Review: Susie Salmon, a 14 year old victim of a serial killer narrates her tale from heaven in one of the most imaginative tales I ever read. She spends much of her time exploring the nature of heaven, though paradoxically, her true idea of heaven is just to be alive with her family and be able to grow up. The dead girl is constantly trying to communicate with her family and friends and to monitor their progress through life. She also wants to lead them to her killer. Interestingly, only those who are outsiders in life are able to understand Susie's missives, which is perhaps not surprising, since Susie herself is the ultimate outsider. To me, the most poignant chapter in the book describes a meeting of all the little girls currently in heaven who were murdered by this man, trying to heal themselves and each other. Ultimately they succeed, and the book ends Susie's invective to those on earth: "I wish you a long and happy life."
Rating: 
Summary: Easy read, but worth it
Review: This book was a bit over the top - and the ending feels rushed - but it really was a worthwhile read. The narrator is fun, witty and very likeable and the author tells the story with feeling, and good emotion. The writing is clean and crisp, with some flowery prose - but that's expected from a 14 year old narrator so the flowery prose is believable. I enjoyed the book and finished it in two days, reading several hours per day.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book of the Year
Review: Life. Death. Love. Family. Murder most foul. Ms Sebold has woven a tale to warm the stoniest of hearts. Such a pleasure to read a well written story about characters you can care about. Warm. Funny. Chilling. The "hype" is absolutely justified. Call me prejudiced, but I love Alice and I loved the The Lovely Bones.
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