Reviews

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

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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.

shadeslayer327's review

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This was the most disturbing opening to a book that I have ever read.

brittanykroeckel's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

manu13's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bernie13's review

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I’m not sure what tone I’m supposed to read this in. Like the way Mr Harvey is portrayed is confusing to me and the book is supposed to be from susie’s perspective but she doesn’t seem to be that disturbed by him? And why is she basically watching her family and friends have s*x?? I just found this book super weird and the end where she possesses Ruth and has s*x with Ray is so disturbing and weird. I don’t know what the author was thinking when she wrote this but I just feel like it could have gone in so many other directions. I found the tone to be off-putting and not what it should have been considering what the book is about.

The way Susie’s POV is used is just weird like why is a 14 year old so interested in the s*x lives of her family and friends??

Content Warnings

jessi_2000's review against another edition

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4.0

"Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never even knew you had."

lynecia's review

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3.0

One of those stories that is incredibly heartbreaking to read that one (or at least me) has to force oneself to keep reading, not out of boredom but due to blaring, searing TRUTH.
Sebold creates a haunting novel narrated by a 14 yr old murder victim watching her family cope with the damage that her devastating death has brought upon them. She watches their hurt as they grow apart, grow up, and subsequently come back together to finally heal as Sebold's young protagonista herself accepts the fact that life must indeed go on without her.

So very bittersweet.