The Lovely Bones

by Alice Sebold | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0316168815 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Soraidh of St. Louis, Missouri USA on 6/26/2004
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Soraidh from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Saturday, June 26, 2004
Book Description:
Once in a generation a novel comes along that taps a vein of universal human experience, resonating with readers of all ages. The Lovely Bones is such a book--a phenomenal #1 bestseller celebrated at once for its narrative artistry, its luminous clarity of emotion, and its astonishing power to lay claim to the hearts of millions of readers around the world.

"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her--her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.

Journal Entry 2 by Soraidh from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Saturday, June 26, 2004
Book mourning: (noun) That particular period of time after the completion of a book where you wish it hadn't ended but you're glad it has because you need time to digest what you've just finished. I heard about 'book mourning' on the Yahoo list for BC and it definitely fits when dealing with this book.

I had heard about the "hype" surrounding the book before finally picking it up. I was skeptic, as rarely do books live up to the media and popular attention surrounding them. However I was refreshingly surprised at this page-turner of a book.

We meet Susie Salmon as she's living in Heaven after being brutally raped and murdered by a neighbor. Through her eyes we follow her family and her friends, some of whom become friends only after her death, as they deal with grief and loss. We watch her sister and brother grow up, her father turn frail, and her mother.. make choices none of us should judge in her grief.

But most amazing to me were the final few pages, the last few chapters that make me hope in a small way that Ms. Sebold's heaven can be my own. The miracle of Ray and Ruth's gifts will stay with you longer than many of the other virtues of this book. And you will want to check in on Lindsey and Buck years from now to see how this incident has shaped their lives.

I understand the media blitz and the attention that was paid to this book. For once the media spot-lighted a book worthy of the attention. I'll be passing this book on to others who I think will appreciate the untold story between these pages.

And be sure to prepare to mourn the end of this book. You'll feel bereft when you finish, but it's a good sort of loss.

Journal Entry 3 by Soraidh from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Thursday, September 23, 2004
Loaned to KW

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