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)

The Lovely Bones

The story is unrelentingly sad. It’s the story of the survivors, not Suzy. I was very surprised that the narration was so monotone and almost without emotion, especially as it is read by the author. The flat reading was disappointing, but I suppose it reinforced the heaviness of the story. The saddest part, for me, was that except for her dog who found her, she was alone.

Author is so monotone

It makes it hard to understand convos that dont have “he/she said” after it. The narrator not switching up her voice at all makes it a boring listen and also a bit confusing especially when characters are conversing. You would think she would keep this in mind while reading her own book.

MUST READ FOR ANYONE

i love this book so much ive read it and listened to it!!! just AMAZING!

Love Love Love this book

I cried, I prayed they would catch the man, I felt as if I was a part of this family going through this with them. It was a wonderful book and I loved it very much. I have two teenage grandchildren and want them to read this to know what can happen in this mean world we live in.

Beautiful book

I absolutely loved this book. Very beautiful story, beautifully written. I listened to this at the gym, on my way to work, and during lunch.

The Lovely Bones

I want to start off by saying I had watched the MOVIE first. The MOVIE was amazingly great and loved it however, when I found that the book was also out, I went ahead and purchased. I thought the book was great as well and both were awesome to read and watch and get a bit of a difference out of both.

Pretty good

I enjoyed the book. at first, I felt like the author was very monotone but she was still very clear and the story was still very impactful. It was sad to listen to during some scenes and it gave insight on how all of them dealt with grief. I had watched the movie before reading the book so the book gave so much more insight on all the characters lives. if you're not too bothered by the Author's manner of reading, it still a good book to read/listen to.

A Rough Read

This book was a rough read. At first I wasn’t sure that I liked it but over time the story drew me in. I grew to care about the characters and wanted them to be happy. As a trauma survivor it was triggering at times but I’m glad I stuck with it.

Horror Once Removed

The unspeakable act at the heart of this story is not forgotten by the heroine/protagonist, but she does not dwell on it, either. It happened; she moved on. Is there forgiveness from beyond the grave? Despite the fact that The Lovely Bones is a parent's worst nightmare, Alice Siebold tells the story in a way that makes you confront the fear behind the nightmare, and find the peace beyond the fear. You have here an excellent author reading her own work delicately and forcefully, and injecting the story with a context that another narrator may not have captured.

Terrible reader

What did you like best about The Lovely Bones? What did you like least?

The story itself is unique and interesting, but the author's reading of it ruined a well written book. I actually found myself trying to read it in my head as I would imagine a good reader doing it because the words didn't match the audio in quality and expression. There are so many fantastic readers out there. Was this author trying to save money by not hiring one? It's truly disappointing, as I was really looking forward to the book and I almost couldn't finish it.

What didn’t you like about Alice Sebold’s performance?

Nothing. I wish I could get my money back from Audible because I expected so much more.