I really liked this book but after reading Sebold's Lucky I have to wonder if the author is ever going to recover from her experience that seems to just jump out of the pages at you in The Lovely Bones. I can't wait for this author to write her next to really see.
The part about the heaven description is very cool and believable I think. This was a very sad story but I liked it.

by kris on Tuesday July 29, @07:29AM

I also liked this book. I was hesitant at first to read it, because the whole premise of the book was so disturbing to me, as a mother of a teenage daughter it tells the story of one of my worst nightmares.

But, once I got past the beginning, I found the book to be touching and almost soothing. The story of Suzie Salmon and how her life touched others is one not to be missed.

by Sharon on Monday December 08, @10:52AM

I was surprised by the way Seabold handled the subject. She took a horrific subject and made it bearable from the safety of a heavenly place. I had to read Her first book LUCKY when I was done with this one. In LUCKY she tells the story of her own rape as a college student. She has an insight into people that is rare, and is well able to turn a phrase about it. Both books were excellent, as well as unique in the handling of the subject matter.

by Denise on Wednesday January 14, @12:53PM

I think this is a very disturbing, sick and horrific book!
How dare you write such terrible things!
I read this book to my younger daughter aged 5
She is now disturbed by how we make sex!
I used to tell my daughter that there was a cabbage patch, and in this there was an egg but now she knows how men and woman make babys!
You make my life a misery!

by sarah megson on Tuesday August 03, @06:51AM

The clues to what this book is about are on the first page. The reference to Juan Ramon Jimenez shows where her influence for the theme of the book lies especially in his poem 'Hand Against The Light' which starts ' We are nothing but a feeble bag of blood and bones, and a pin, it is true, can kill us; but in us flows the seed that may produce one butterfly, of light only and of shadow only and only ours --------'

The other clue is the quote 'If they give you ruled paper, write the other way'. In other words don't be afraid to be different - don't do what is expected of you. I think this is a message particularly targeted at young women. In the novel we have a number of beautiful,talented women eg the 'gifted' young women Lindsey and Ruth with their lives and the possibility of achieving their potential ahead of them and the older women, Abigail and Ruana, also both beautiful and clever whose potential has been thwarted by their entrapment in domesticity and loneliness. The men in the novel comprise the young men with their hopes and ambitions who no doubt will do well (Ray Singh becomes a doctor) and the older men who hold power over their wives and their families by being the sole breadwinners like Ray's father,an academic,who escapes from his domestic situation by becoming a workaholic and Susie's father,an insurance man, who hides from his domestic situation by putting ships in bottles. The other main male character, Mr Harvey, is a rapist and mass murderer of young girls and women. A man who exerts power over women by destroying them.
So the message to the young women is 'Do dare to be different. You don't have to accept the routes you are expected to follow. You too can be a 'butterfly of light'.'

by Margaret on Saturday August 07, @06:50AM

I too loved this book. i think its suprisingly enchanting, so strange how such a sombre subject could breed such a lovely story. The characters are well developed and the plot flows, reads easily without confussion.
A unique perspective on death that should be adopted and treasured by anyone suffering, grieving for lost loved ones. this book is comforting beyond what we can imagine, and although no one can replace suzie the though of her playground afterlife is a soothing thought.

I do feel that Seabold is concentrating upon her experience too much surrely she cannot produce another book of this genre?

by mrs_dalloway on Saturday September 04, @04:44AM

I love this book, it was so inspirational! I loved it. I know im only 12 but this book really hit. It taught me how to cherish every moment in life!!!!!!!!!!! If you're reading this and you respond say my name in the response. My name is Stephanie thanx bye.

by stephanie quib on Friday October 01, @07:15AM

I read this book and though it was hard to read at times (especially the first couple of chapters) i thoroughly enjoyed it. I have now passed it on to my 13 year old daughter to read.

by Di on Monday October 18, @05:36AM

This Book is Awsome. I love it. It is so real and I could relate to it.

by Raeanne Fritz on Thursday October 21, @08:56AM

I absoulutely loved this book! It touched me soo much and made me relaized that I can't trust everyone. Alice did a wonderful job with this book.

by asfa on Thursday November 18, @08:07AM

I absoulutely loved this book! It touched me soo much and made me relaized that I can't trust everyone. Alice did a wonderful job with this book.

by asfa on Thursday November 18, @08:07AM

I really liked the start of this book, but as it got to the second half, what seemed believable (even though it was the incredulity of Heaven and it's descriptions) became outrageous. It is a guilty pleasure, however. I thought if Sebold would have stuck with subtleties of what could be true, like heaven and most certainly murder and it's solution, instead of venturing to celestial embodiment and sex, it woud have been more pleasant to finish.
A bit juvenile, if it counts.

by Kelly on Wednesday April 20, @07:56PM

this book is wicked as i now how she feels in writing it all down. thanks for writing such a well done book that you cant put down easily and when you are running out of hope of ever geting over this. thanks i love the book

by Bex on Tuesday June 21, @11:27PM

in reply to the person whos child is disturbed by this book.....GROW UP.... how are going to read to a 5 year old such book???? why didnt you stop reading it when you came to parts of RAPE???(very 1st chapter.....hello??) you need help....
your fault your kid is disturbed...

by anadreads on Tuesday July 26, @02:34AM

I agree, this book, as intricate and thrilling as it maybe, is definitely not suitable to read to a kid of such a young age.

by Alan on Thursday August 18, @11:18AM

whats the theme of the lovely bones?

by claire on Tuesday September 13, @08:23AM

I think this book is ridiculous. It's so darn premature (as in undeveloped and "kiddy"). I really dislike it, how can one possibly relate to a dead character. It's WAY too fictional, people! She dies, she then goes to Heaven and critiques the lives of her family and friends, at the same time physically and mentally grows up? It's oddly silly, c'mon! Her character isn't even fully developed. And seriously, I learned to deal with the fact that she's dead, so why the heck does she have to "come back" into Ruth's body--it's preposterous . I'm aware it's a fiction novel, but it's just a dumb one...it might as well be classified as a fantasy or sci-fi novel. Maybe we're analyzing it differently than how the author wants us to and hence are totally off track, I don't know what it is, I just think it this book stinks.
I didn't learn anything from this book and merely laughed at the storyline. I'm sorry, Mrs. Sebold but it's too darn silly :)

by Sabina on Thursday September 15, @01:59PM

I thought this book was really well written. i do have to agree with the person above on one part though. the part when susie comes into ruths body was a little odd. but other than that i really enjoyed the book, even though i had to read it for school.

by Michaela on Sunday September 18, @01:39PM

Never have I read a book so intricately tied to itself. Each page, each word a lesson to us all. I only hope this book helped others through tragedy as it has done my family. Well done Alice and thankyou for such an empowering message.

by Heather Fisher on Monday October 31, @03:37AM

I felt the book was beautifully done. It really captures the essence of a family's break down after the loss of a child, especially so brutally. I wrote my thesis on it.

by Cicx on Sunday January 08, @03:35PM

Who ever wrote the following makes me sick. I have never heard something so stupid in my life. Why would you read a book like this to a 5 year old anyway? Im a 18 year old girl and this book was a book i just couldn't put down. I loved every minute of it. I love the way Alice writes her novels and tells such an amazing story. Keep up the amazing work.
Re: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
I think this is a very disturbing, sick and horrific book!
How dare you write such terrible things!
I read this book to my younger daughter aged 5
She is now disturbed by how we make sex!
I used to tell my daughter that there was a cabbage patch, and in this there was an egg but now she knows how men and woman make babys!
You make my life a misery!

by The Lovely Bones on Thursday February 16, @09:05AM

In response to the person who "read this book to their five year old" surely, a grown woman who has a five year old daughter would know better than to read this book to a child, and also, surely if you were a grown woman with a five year old daughter, you would know how to spell the word 'babies' not 'babys' as you so wrongly said. So really, you sound like a young kid who wants some attention on a story-board for crying out loud! Grow up dear. Oh and the cabbage patch story - so poor.

by Sophie on Thursday April 27, @01:44PM

I agree with just about everyone here: this book is an amazing piece of literature. I couldn't put it down and have already reread the book 3 times. I don't think I have to say much about the woman who read this to her 5 year old child since everyone else already has. But one thing I noticed wasn't broached is her description of how babies are really made. A "cabbage patch"? Lying to your child will probably do as much harm to her as you reading this book. "The truth shall set you free." And maybe instead of letting the idea of sex and rape bother her, sit her down and talk to her about it as a mother should do.

Someone else made a post named Sabina who stated: "It's so darn premature (as in undeveloped and "kiddy")." The first person point of view comes from a young girl. It wouldn't sound right if the character spoke in a more adult fashion. Remember: the author might be an adult, but the character that is narrating the story is young. In my opinion, I though Sebold did a fantastic job writing this story. I agree, some parts were far fetched but the overall writing style is great.

by Greg on Friday May 12, @02:26PM

incredible book, amazing

by ChescoX on Wednesday October 18, @12:36PM

This book really changed my perspective about life and I felt that it was such a beautiful story. Susie went through such a horrifying death, but yet she's still able to have such a great outlook on the life she lived and she never once was bitter about her early death. I think everyone should look at life like Susie.

by Meghan on Monday October 30, @02:14PM

im 13 and i loved this book. in fact, it was the best book i've ever read. i think any girl over the age of ten should be required to read it. i think it would teach lessons about how to act in those situations. oh, and i wanted to ask that lady who read the book to her five year old daughter: are you retarded because i would expect you to stop reading when you got to the part where susie's getting raped. by the way, are you embarrassed that you spelled babies wrong in your re.?

by haileigh on Friday November 24, @07:26PM

I can't believe a grown woman would read The Lovely Bones to a five year old. You have some serious issues lady. Where the hell is your common sense. Even a young adult such as myself, knows better than that.

Anyway, I thought the book was very well structured and had an unreal plot, although at some stages I found it quite depressing.
Good Read....

by bill on Monday December 04, @10:25PM

The Lovely Bones is my favorite book..& i also enjoy Lucky. I used to hate reading. But now i love it because Allison Seabold opened up a new Side to reading for me. Such an amazing book! Ive read it over & over for 2 years.

by Gabbie on Tuesday December 05, @05:52AM

to who ever started their post by saying, "I think this book is ridiculous. It's so darn premature (as in undeveloped and "kiddy")."
Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I would just like to state mine and point out where i thought you were wrong about this amazing book. I found i could greatly relate to this character. Although she is dead, she goes through many things i have expirienced as well in my life. She deals with her parents breaking up and family falling apart. She deals with the whole "life isn't fair" lesson, which i think it is safe to say, we all have learned. Also, she deals with never being able to do certain things in her life, which i know, most of us will, however, it is an interesting view on it and brought me close to tears at many points. yes it is fictional... thats why it says fiction on the top left hand corner on the back of the novel. yes, it is a bit strange that she returns to earth, but it helps the plot by adding to the resalution by adding more closure. I dont think she grows up physically, but she does grow up mentaly. We grow up mentaly by what we see and learn. even though she is dead she still learns and sees these things. In my opinion, i belive this novel is exelent and is one of my favourites. I think it is unic and Alice Sebold is a brave and talented writer. So as i respect your response to the novel, i have to say that i completly disagree.
-(i prefer not to leave my name)
age: 14

In response to:
"I think this book is ridiculous. It's so darn premature (as in undeveloped and "kiddy"). I really dislike it, how can one possibly relate to a dead character. It's WAY too fictional, people! She dies, she then goes to Heaven and critiques the lives of her family and friends, at the same time physically and mentally grows up? It's oddly silly, c'mon! Her character isn't even fully developed. And seriously, I learned to deal with the fact that she's dead, so why the heck does she have to "come back" into Ruth's body--it's preposterous . I'm aware it's a fiction novel, but it's just a dumb one...it might as well be classified as a fantasy or sci-fi novel. Maybe we're analyzing it differently than how the author wants us to and hence are totally off track, I don't know what it is, I just think it this book stinks.
I didn't learn anything from this book and merely laughed at the storyline. I'm sorry, Mrs. Sebold but it's too darn silly :) "

by girl on Sunday December 10, @11:15AM

I thought that this book by Alice Sebold was wonderfully written and had a lovely plot. The begining was great, and I greatly enjoyed it at first. The middle parts to me, though, dragged slightly and I desperately wanted the book to finish. But, the book got better as it ended; I loved the twist of Susie becoming Ruth, though it was sort of out there (but then again, that was the main reason I chose to read this book).

Also, as a young woman, I felt for Susie. There are a lot of creeps in the world, and that first chapter freaked me out; it could happen to anyone. I think that using this part of the story as the begining is a good way to pull people into the story.

Overall, The Lovely Bones was a fairly good read, though not the best book I've read. I would only reccomend this book for those who can stomach the beginning and those who are willing to read through some of the slow parts. :)

Oh, and lastly to the woman who read to the 5 year-old (I thought I would include what I thought, like everyone else. ^_^):
If you even are a mother (which I'm thinking that you're just some stupid person that wants to freak people out on the computer) then you are the stupidest mother ever and I feel bad for your child.

by JD on Wednesday April 11, @01:59PM

uhm...excuse me, i am 16, and was asked to read this book for my english class. it is an absolutely amazing book, and i don't even like to read. how dare ANYONE say that this book is horrific. first of all, reading it to a five year old was NOT the brightest idea. you should have read it yourself to see if was censored enough, but you chose to not.
The Lovely Bones was an incredible piece, and i cannot wait to read Lucky.

by samantha on Monday May 19, @02:27PM

WOW!
I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN FOR A SECOND!!
im only 13, but man this book was a work of ART!

by ashley on Monday September 22, @03:25PM