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A review by strawberrybirds
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
2.0
Let me first clarify by saying this isn't my favorite type of book. Although I do like contemporary literature, I tend to prefer sci-fi and fantasy. Books that depict characters overcoming odds, becoming heroes, inspiring others, asking deep questions about the nature of humanity, and fighting for justice. This is not that type of book.
I liked the premise. Susie Salmon, a young girl, who was raped and murdered is watching her family from heaven as they try to cope with her death. I thought the story would be about dealing with loss. I thought the family would fall apart and then patch itself back together. In a way that's what happened, but it happened so strangely and so suddenly that it ruined the whole book for me.
If you haven't yet read the book, that's all I can share. If you have read it, then read on...
Then, Susie continues to watch her family, friends, and even her murderer, from heaven for about 7 years as they go about their daily lives where nothing in particular happens. At this point, I kept thinking something has to happen. This is where everything we will be resolved. They will find Susie's body. The murdered will be caught in another crime. Something will happen that will bring this family back together.
Then, in the last 50 pages of the book her father has a heart attack and her mother realizes she was an idiot, flies home, and falls in love with her husband all over again. And, were this to be treated right, it would have been fine. Instead, it happens in like 5 pages. They look into each other's eyes and it's like all is forgiven. Oh, the brother is angry. We know this cause he says "fuck you" to his mom and seethes in the car ride home but once there he's given a present of drums and this is never mentioned again (yeah, that's realistic! not!). The daughter doesn't say anything at all, except to re-announce that she's getting married. They all sit around and eat lasagna and it's like everything is great again. Umm... sorry but no.
Oh, and don't let me forget the best part. Susie possess Ruth's body and as Ruth has sex with Ray her crush from when she was alive. This is after the author clear sets up the rules that Susie cannot physically interact with the world, she can only observe and understand people's thoughts and emotions. She can give them subtle pushes but she can't possess someone's body! The worst part about this is that when Susie leaves and Ruth is back, we have no idea what she thinks about this. Does she remember? Does she care? Is it like having a blackout? We get a sense that she knows what happened because tells Ray to read her diary - like it will reveal all - but the whole thing is so out of left field and bizarre and creepy that it basically ruined the whole book for me right there.
I wouldn't have loved even if the ending was better, but the ending put it from a 3 start to a 2 for sure.
I liked the premise. Susie Salmon, a young girl, who was raped and murdered is watching her family from heaven as they try to cope with her death. I thought the story would be about dealing with loss. I thought the family would fall apart and then patch itself back together. In a way that's what happened, but it happened so strangely and so suddenly that it ruined the whole book for me.
If you haven't yet read the book, that's all I can share. If you have read it, then read on...
Spoiler
The first half was fine. Susie is murdered. Her father thinks he knows who the killer is but can't prove anything. His single-mindedness causes a rift in the family and his wife, who can't cope with Susie's loss and just wants to not think about her has an affair and then leaves her family and moves to California. Okay, up to this point the story at least makes sense.Then, Susie continues to watch her family, friends, and even her murderer, from heaven for about 7 years as they go about their daily lives where nothing in particular happens. At this point, I kept thinking something has to happen. This is where everything we will be resolved. They will find Susie's body. The murdered will be caught in another crime. Something will happen that will bring this family back together.
Then, in the last 50 pages of the book her father has a heart attack and her mother realizes she was an idiot, flies home, and falls in love with her husband all over again. And, were this to be treated right, it would have been fine. Instead, it happens in like 5 pages. They look into each other's eyes and it's like all is forgiven. Oh, the brother is angry. We know this cause he says "fuck you" to his mom and seethes in the car ride home but once there he's given a present of drums and this is never mentioned again (yeah, that's realistic! not!). The daughter doesn't say anything at all, except to re-announce that she's getting married. They all sit around and eat lasagna and it's like everything is great again. Umm... sorry but no.
Oh, and don't let me forget the best part. Susie possess Ruth's body and as Ruth has sex with Ray her crush from when she was alive. This is after the author clear sets up the rules that Susie cannot physically interact with the world, she can only observe and understand people's thoughts and emotions. She can give them subtle pushes but she can't possess someone's body! The worst part about this is that when Susie leaves and Ruth is back, we have no idea what she thinks about this. Does she remember? Does she care? Is it like having a blackout? We get a sense that she knows what happened because tells Ray to read her diary - like it will reveal all - but the whole thing is so out of left field and bizarre and creepy that it basically ruined the whole book for me right there.
I wouldn't have loved even if the ending was better, but the ending put it from a 3 start to a 2 for sure.