Rating: 
Summary: A good story that moves too slowly.
Review: I usually run screaming from movies and books that top anyone's "Best Of" list, or reach such a mainstream, wide audience. I read this book at the recommendation of a friend that I trust implicitly. I have to say that although I think that the concept of this book is unique and bordering on pure genius (the narration of the story is from a girl in heaven), I really can't say that I feel it was executed all that well.I know that I am in the minority for saying this and will probably get a zillion people saying that my review didn't help them at all, just because they don't agree with me. That's fine. I know thousands of people have read this book and have been moved beyond belief by it. It didn't do that to me at all. I found parts of the book riveting, but as soon as I would get really into it, I'd find my mind wandering, thinking about other things. I think Ms. Sebold spends a bit too time much on details, and her details were foggy at best a lot of the time. There seemed to be a few characters that the book would have been better off without. I found myself cringing whenever their names came up. "Oh no, not them again. Yawn." Ultimately, these characters really didn't have much to do with the story. Had the book been a bit streamlined, it would have made for a quicker read (at least as far as I'm concerned). I found myself having to go back and re-read passages, because either I was confused by what had happened or because it didn't hold my attention and I started daydreaming! I've never experienced anything like this with any other book that I've read. And I have read a zillion books in my life! In the end, I felt like the family never got any sort of justice. Sure, Mr. Harvey sees a deserved fate, but Susie's family doesn't know about it. It was hard to get behind some of the characters and be on their sides. What happened to Susie is terrible, and the story tells how the family reacts to it. Although their depression doesn't really make for a completely sad book, at the end it's not altogether uplifting. I sort of felt indifference. If anything, I was just happy that I was finally done with the book! It was just very slow moving for me.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Find
Review: When I was first told about this book, reactions ranged from wide-eyed wonderment to blissfull delight. When I first started reading it, same honest feelings came through. That's because it is a book of honest truth, of longing especially. One who has lost someone dear on earth often wonders what is up there. The story of Susie Salmon is the story of any young girl, from the Seventies or now, its the story of doubt, youth, wanting, giving and reassemling pieces of a puzzle- the puzzle of one's life- exept in this story, the protagonists life is finished, and she writes it from heaven, an interuption if you will. As she tries to get though, literally, to all her loved ones, the reader becomes emotionally tied to Susie Salmon. So much so that it imprints your own life and makes you feel: "I'm lucky to be here".
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.
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