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chapita4's review against another edition
3.0
I really, really, really liked this book until it fell apart at the end. I was very disappointed and think that the ending was a sell out or she didn't know where to go with the book. As a crime victim advocate the premise of the book was interesting and unusual. I would still recommend it for a read but you'll totally do an eye roll at the end.
ashley_nicole_bee's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to slow down and gain some perspective.
Teacher/Parent Prepare for:
SA/Homicide description of a child. This is the premise. It is not told is overwhelmingly graphic detail, but it is a violent crime against a child.
Afterlife/Life after death themes
LGBTQ+ themes
Descriptions of other SA/Homicides in lesser detail
Consensual Sexual Activity of teenagers and young adults
Teacher/Parent Prepare for:
SA/Homicide description of a child. This is the premise. It is not told is overwhelmingly graphic detail, but it is a violent crime against a child.
Afterlife/Life after death themes
LGBTQ+ themes
Descriptions of other SA/Homicides in lesser detail
Consensual Sexual Activity of teenagers and young adults
gaby_b's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
thesimplereader's review against another edition
3.0
This book begins in what I would describe as one word: disturbing. The story is harsh, but exciting and mysterious. I want to start off with saying...It is not a bad book. It was actually interesting. However, I would agree with most of the negative reviews concerning this book. The diction is out of the ordinary, and whilst you may not notice it for most of the book, in some places it just does not fit.
Also, SPOILER ALERT: the ending sucks. Bad. Not only does her killer not get caught, but she comes back to earth. Cool right? Maybe she'll go visit her family or support them or tell someone where her body is. NO. She comes back only to have sex with the guy she crushed on at age 14. Wow. To me, this story could have been so much greater and taken in a much more interesting and enlightening direction, especially toward the end. Instead it is wasted on vain and lust and I am left wishing the story had taken a different turn... or ten.
Still worth reading.. but prepare for disappointment.
Also, SPOILER ALERT: the ending sucks. Bad. Not only does her killer not get caught, but she comes back to earth. Cool right? Maybe she'll go visit her family or support them or tell someone where her body is. NO. She comes back only to have sex with the guy she crushed on at age 14. Wow. To me, this story could have been so much greater and taken in a much more interesting and enlightening direction, especially toward the end. Instead it is wasted on vain and lust and I am left wishing the story had taken a different turn... or ten.
Still worth reading.. but prepare for disappointment.
mimimilaa's review against another edition
5.0
This book has easily become one of my favorites; I think this is so underrated.
I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I picked this book up. I really just decided to read it on a whim, but I am so glad that I did.
It's written to poetically and the narration is very interesting. The whole time I could picture everything in my head and it was dream-like. Sebold took such a gruesome topic and turned it into a story filled with hope, love, and fear. The characters went through great transformations and it was so real. The familial aspect was not romanticized or perfect, it was realistic and I really appreciated that, even if it drove me a little crazy while reading (her mom).
This book was so beautiful, and I will definitely be watching the movie soon.
I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I picked this book up. I really just decided to read it on a whim, but I am so glad that I did.
It's written to poetically and the narration is very interesting. The whole time I could picture everything in my head and it was dream-like. Sebold took such a gruesome topic and turned it into a story filled with hope, love, and fear. The characters went through great transformations and it was so real. The familial aspect was not romanticized or perfect, it was realistic and I really appreciated that, even if it drove me a little crazy while reading (her mom).
This book was so beautiful, and I will definitely be watching the movie soon.
8bitreader's review against another edition
I feel like this story is stuck in between a rock and a hard place. Without the twist of Susie being around as a ghost, the story would be a simple crime story. With the twist, the story has absolutely no momentum to keep it going. I think that's where the story lost me. It's not that nothing happens, but nothing interesting happens. The characters aren't enticing enough to propel the story by themselves, because no one really wants anything. Even Susie, doesn't seem to want anything. She simply observes and gives rather grim commentary over everything. And while I enjoy this blunt kind of writing, it wears on you very quickly with this book.
DNF at page 161.
DNF at page 161.