Maybe there is hope for me and bestsellers, after all. Or maybe it is all about the circumstances you are in when you read a certain novel.

I lost a dear friend earlier this year, and since then I have had many conversations, with friends and with myself, about the afterlife. What happens when we die? What is heaven? Alice Sebold's version of heaven is quite similar to mine*, and this is maybe why I enjoyed this novel so. But there are other things in the book that I found appealing. For example, in a style reminiscent of Joyce Carol Oates, the story starts with Susie's own account of her rape and murder. The detached tone in which she relates this makes the whole scene even more brutal. I imagine this is why many readers were immediately turned off to the novel (their loss).

The bottom line is that this is a novel about a group of people that loses a loved daughter, sister, friend, in tragic circumstances. How do they survive Susie's absence? Some better than others. I loved the character development, and how this horrific murder tightened the bonds between the Singhs, the Heckler brothers, Ruth, Grandma Lynn, Lindsey, Buckley and Jack.

Some of the stuff in the story I could have really done without. For the life of me I could not understand Susie's mother. Nothing in her actions made me warm up to her. Plus her relationship to Len Fenerman was so reproachable that my sympathy was forever lost. Also, that moment in the novel that came straight out of the movie Ghost was superfluous.

But regardless of these objections, this was an enjoyable, bittersweet novel, and I am happy I read it.

*footnote: in my version, though, you have a chance to repair the wrongs you have done, the same way the wrongs inflicted on you get fixed.

A new BookRay begins!

Rules for the BookRay (inspired from LyekkaMarengo's profile):

1. Please let me know your shipping restrictions.
2. Journal the book when you get it.
3. If you can't finish this book in ~ 4 weeks, please let me know.
4. Make your Journal Entry.
5. PM the next person in line before you send it to make sure they are still interested in participating.
6. PM the next person in line after you have actually mailed the book.

Shipping order:

Becbec202 - California (can ship anywhere) (mailed August 30, 2006)
dicentra-tn - Tennessee (US only)
Wilmar - Netherlands (can ship anywhere)
c-a-m - Australia (Aus only)
BellaMack - Australia (Aus only)

GorgeousGlo started this BookRay and I am happy to say that it landed in San Jose on Sept. 2nd. It's a lovely hardback and the cover has a wonderful feel. I wonder how the book will make me feel as I read it.

Just received in the mail - very good timing, as I have a few days off in the coming week and just finished a book.

This book was an interesting read. A new take on heaven, and an interesting way to show the effects on a family and friends of a tragic death of a child. And not just the immediate effects but also years later.
I was aware of the book for a long time and I am glad I had the chance to read it.

I really enjoyed this book, particularly the way the characters grow & change in the aftermath of Susie's death. It was interesting to me how the author portrayed each person's reactions. I felt a little more sympathetic toward the mother's actions, though I agree that she didn't command a lot of warmth... Mostly, though, I thought the story unfolded perfectly. Very glad I finally got to read this one.

I just mailed off to Wilmar in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, my budget dictates that it will be a slow journey - however, I think you'll find that the book is worth the wait!

Caught!

Found in my mailbox today, thank you dicentra-tn :)

I started reading right away and finished the first chapter already: promising, I must say.

*edit* Forgot to mention: the book arrived on December 5th, which is a national Dutch (and Dutch only) holiday: Sinterklaas. A day all children (and some grownups) get presents, so The lovely bones arrived just in time :)

*edit 12-12-06* c-a-m has asked to be skipped, I pmed BellaMack

Here I am again :)

Great, gripping read. I'm very happy that I finally came round to reading this one, thanks so much GorgeousGlo.

I started reading right after I received the book and finished it within a week or so. But then I did not feel like journalling. Does that sound familiar, anyone?

I really enjoyed the book, but I don't have that much to say about it. I also could not relate to the mother's actions, but the 'scene for the movie Ghost' did not disturb me.

I pm'ed c-a-m, and she has asked to be skipped, so the Lovely Bones travels on to BellaMack today.

Received today with a beautiful postcard , thank you Wilmar - you have such lovely handwriting :) Thank you GorgeousGlo for sharing :)

I read this book in two days, couldn't put it down. I felt great sadness reading this book, thinking of all those parents with all those missing children out there who never have the opportunity for closure. How difficult that must be. So I found myself not wanting to judge any of the family members because, in reality, I feel each and every one of us would react differently to that situation, and react without almost thinking why and also unable to control that reaction without professional intervention ... which this family did not have. I also felt great frustration with the outcome re Mr Harvey, but as we all know this happens all too frequently, sadly. All in all a fabulous book I thought and one that I will flash back to for a little while yet.

Will be included in my Australian bookbag to be released shortly

RELEASE NOTES:

Including this in the You've Gotta Read This bookbag

Taken out of BellaMack You've Gotta Read This bookbag

Taken out of BellaMack You've Gotta Read This bookbag

I really liked this book. It is a cold fRiday night and I read it in one go.

I will be passing it along shortly.

tragic

CAUGHT IN JILLIBY NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIA