The Lovely Bones

By: Alice Sebold

Narrated by: Alice Sebold

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Now read by the author, this edition also includes an interview with Alice Sebold and the first chapter of her new book, The Almost Moon.When we first meet 14-year-old Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. This was before milk carton photos and public-service announcements, she tells us; back in 1973, when Susie mysteriously disappeared, people still believed things like that didn't happen.

In the sweet, untroubled voice of a precocious teenage girl, Susie relates the awful events of her death and her own adjustment to the strange new place where she finds herself. It looks a lot like her school playground, with the good kind of swing sets.

With love, longing, and a growing understanding, Susie watches her family as they cope with their grief: her father embarks on a search for the killer, her sister undertakes a feat of amazing daring, her little brother builds a fort in her honor, and they begin the difficult process of healing.

This story of seemingly unbearable tragedy is transformed into a suspenseful and touching narrative about family, memory, love, heaven, and living.

©2002 Alice Sebold (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A stunning achievement." ( The New Yorker)
"A keenly observed portrait of familial love...a deeply affecting meditation on the ways in which terrible pain...can be redeemed." ( The New York Times)
"A personal and artistic triumph." ( Time)

This book touched me.

I am a believer and this was the best book I have ever read. Written exquisitely and made me feel every moment. Thank you.

Interesting take on the afterlife

This is great story and I listened twice. I know Alice wanted to read this herself but I think she might should have hired someone for that. Thankfully, it didn't matter. I enjoyed her vision of the bonds between the loved one passed and those that loved her.

Interesting book, bad narration

I read how so many ppl said the author was a bad narrator and took away from the book but I decided to try it anyway. The book was pretty good, a unique perspective and written in an unorthodox way but the other reviewers were right. The author isn't the best narrator for this. She is ok for narrating what Susie says but is bad at any of the dialogue between other characters

I very much liked the narration

I don't agree with the others who didn't care for the narrator. I really thought the author's narration added to the story. I got a little lost toward the end of the book, but I thought this was a very touching story. It left me wanting more at the end, but it wrapped up beautifully.

Loved it

So different from other crime novels. I Loved the dead girls perspective. I'm Glad they made it into a movie.

Lovely

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of tears and moving storyline. The author does an ok reading. It is just like when you go to an author reading. She is not an actor which I think other reviewers want her be. I watched the movie after I read the book. I just wish that movie makers won’t try to jam a long book into a 2 hour movie. It is not possible and it changes parts which is infuriating. This should be a seven part series on Netflix

Great story

The author was a little monotone but if you can get through that its a great story.

Very sad

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lovely Bones to be better than the print version?

No, I think it should have been done by someone who sounded younger. I'm not knocking Ms Sebold, cause I do love the book, I just think that since its the perspective of a 14 yo, the voice ought to match closer.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lovely Bones?

The connection with her father.

What three words best describe Alice Sebold’s voice?

Much too deep

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Didn't really like the ending, after what Suzy had been thru with Mr Harvey, it seemed unlikely that she would be with her boyfriend like that. And there's no real justice there!

Sometimes the author should not read their own book

The story was great. The writing was great. The author's voice was monotone and emotionless. At several points I fell asleep and at others she lost my attention and interest. It's a pity---but some authors just shouldn't read their own books. Stick to writing them.

Terrible Narration

The story is pretty good, though the ending is abrupt and leaves the reader wanting. It's a big investment to get to the end just to have what you've been waiting for happen in one simple paragraph. While I realize the author didn't want to share royalties with a voice actor, her narration was a huge disservice to the content. The teacher from ferris Buehler could have delivered a more inspiring performance. Abysmal