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phlegmie's review against another edition
3.0
What a poignant and bone-chilling read. The Lovely Bones was told from Susie Salmon's point of view. Susie, a fifteen-year-old girl 'with mousy hair', was raped and murdered by their neighbour, Mr. Harvey. However, as she lives in her perfect world, the Inbetween, she continuously watches her love ones from afar as they get by to their lives after that sad accident and try fruitlessly to forget her.
For many years, she watches her two siblings, Lindsey and Buckley, grow up without her. She watches them how they struggle without her, how they slowly bury her memories at the back of their minds. Susie watches her parents' marriage hang by a thread; she witnessed her mother's weakness as she make love to Len to forget all the pain in her chest. It was like being a movie critic. She also got a glimpse of Mr. Harvey's childhood, his murders (yep, she wasn't the only one), and his death.
The book is indeed quite different from the movie but, despite the fact that I fell in love with the movie first, I must say that the book has completely taken me aback.
Very perfect to read on a Halloween night.
For many years, she watches her two siblings, Lindsey and Buckley, grow up without her. She watches them how they struggle without her, how they slowly bury her memories at the back of their minds. Susie watches her parents' marriage hang by a thread; she witnessed her mother's weakness as she make love to Len to forget all the pain in her chest. It was like being a movie critic. She also got a glimpse of Mr. Harvey's childhood, his murders (yep, she wasn't the only one), and his death.
The book is indeed quite different from the movie but, despite the fact that I fell in love with the movie first, I must say that the book has completely taken me aback.
Very perfect to read on a Halloween night.
tieganlucy's review against another edition
2.0
Didn’t like it. Forced myself to read it. Weird concept and didn’t like the story in general
amallard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
remia1996's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
kpounce's review against another edition
5.0
This book was very well written and it wasn’t what I expected at all when I started it. It left me with a feeling of a story that is complete, and I don’t feel that often.
tigerxwasp's review against another edition
3.0
I have to say that for such a depressing subject this was a story that was very uplifting. I enjoyed the characters and didn't find my interest waning, saying that I can't put my finger on why but I was disappointed with the ending slightly.
lucindapearson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarawildoosen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Violence
ellennewall's review against another edition
5.0
devastating. the ending with ray and ruth was a bit dodge but amazingly written
midwifereading's review against another edition
3.0
Her writing style is gorgeous, and I loved the lilting prose. The premise was intriguing, and there was enough detail left out that I could tolerate the storyline. Violence against children is incredibly disturbing to me, and I picked up this book after watching the movie, knowing that I might not be able to finish it because of that factor.
She does a good job drawing you into the story without adding unnecessary detail. I felt her depiction of grief over the loss of a child and sibling in a family was realistic. My heart broke over and over for her parents. I felt angry at her mom for the decisions she made, though I understood why she did what she did. I felt horrible for her dad and little brother, and admiration for her sister.
I didn't love the book, though, and one scenario nearly ruined it for me.
****SPOILER ALERT****
There is one scene in which the main character, Susie, essentially "possesses" another female character's body temporarily, so she can have sex with the boy she had a crush on at the time of her own murder. I found that scene didn't contribute to the story at all. In any way. It was very "meh."
She does a good job drawing you into the story without adding unnecessary detail. I felt her depiction of grief over the loss of a child and sibling in a family was realistic. My heart broke over and over for her parents. I felt angry at her mom for the decisions she made, though I understood why she did what she did. I felt horrible for her dad and little brother, and admiration for her sister.
I didn't love the book, though, and one scenario nearly ruined it for me.
****SPOILER ALERT****
There is one scene in which the main character, Susie, essentially "possesses" another female character's body temporarily, so she can have sex with the boy she had a crush on at the time of her own murder. I found that scene didn't contribute to the story at all. In any way. It was very "meh."