The Lovely Bones
RATING
Three Stars
The Lovely Bones
Alice Sebold

GENRE: Fiction
APPROX. PAGES: 352 pages

PURCHASE THE BOOK
I loved it. I hated it. I feel I have to review this book two ways and let you decide for yourself.

FOR THE LOVE - It was an interesting story. A little creepy because in the first few pages it does take you through a murder. It was captivating in the beginning. Even though the reader is aware from the beginning who the murderer is, you keep reading because you want everyone else to realize who the murderer is. You ache as this family rips apart because of the murder of their little girl. You want the murderer to be caught. Every time he escapes you feel frustrated. For the first half of this book, I was really involved. I wished desperately for Susie to be able to help her family solve her murder even though all she could do was watch from heaven.

but then... somewhere in the middle....

FOR THE HATE - it fell apart. Seriously. The murdered girl is given the opportunity to return to Earth for a short time. Does she try to help give her family closure by revealing her murderer or letting them know where her body is buried? Nope. Does she even go to her family? Nope. Her family has been completely ripped apart by her death and she decides the most important thing she could do is have sex with the boy she liked before she died. Really. I'm serious. It is not after solving her murder that she is able to go to her further version of heaven, it is after she has sex. I sat dumbfounded after I finished this. Really? Her mother left her father and ran across the country because she couldn't handle her daughter's murder and she does nothing to help?

Don't even get me started on the crazy metaphors the writer used.

OK. Let me bring it back together for you. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I really did love the beginning. It was so original and fresh, even though slightly creepy. I felt frustrated by the end. Why not help your family let go if you had the chance?

If you are the sentimental type, you will probably like it. If you are more of the sensible type, pick up a different book for your next read.