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Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I started reading this book one day at Christmas and finished it the following morning, waking at about 5 am to read a few more pages and falling back asleep. From the very beginning the reader is gripped and from then on there is no pulling away.

It is the story of a fourteen year old girl, Susie Salmon who is brutally assaulted and murdered in a corn field close to her home. Susie goes to a heaven where she watches down on her family, friends and murderer.

It is a startling book at times and there is some wonderful imagery:

"Our only kiss was like an accident - a beautiful gasoline rainbow."

And another favourite part of mine mid way through the book:

""How to commit the Perfect Murder" was an old game in heaven. I always chose the icicle: the weapon melts away."

The Lovely Bones does indeed seem to have something to offer everyone. The characters are each interesting in their own right; Jack Salmon (Susie's father), Abigail (Susie's mother with ocean eyes), Lindsey (her sister), Ruth Connors (poet and medium of ambivalent sexuality), Ray Singh (Susie's young love) and Ruana Singh (Ray's dignified mother). The path of the murderer himself is also interesting.

The movie of this book is due out shortly. I will have to see it!

1 comment:

  1. As I read the last chapters of this novel, I heard music playing in my head--the kind of music that springs from hope and promises new beginnings. By showing us life from death's perspective, Alice Sebold gives new meaning to what we consider to be everyday moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has suffered an unexplainable loss.

    Marlene
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