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)

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

Gotta see the movie now.

I liked this book. Didn't think I would. Yes, I agree I heard better narrators, but I still liked the book....alot. Didn't like the ending though. I would recommend it.

Lovely storytelling odd concept.

beautiful writing. a lovely told story. I lost that feeling at the end of the book.

Interesting perspective

I grew up in the 70s as well so I could relate. Interesting to think our loved ones are looking down on us after they pass.

Beautiful

My heart, this book touched my heart. Sebold wrote a great book and was perfect to narrate it.

Easy storyline

This book was not original, it sounded similar to other books and movies with a similar plot.

My first Audible

I choose The Lovely Bones as my first audio book. I absolutely loved the book and a great recommendation for first timers. I noticed that a lot of reviewers did not like the narration. I didn't think it was that bad, but then again I can not compare to other narrations. The author sounds very somber but I think it fits the context of the book. Overall this was a great book and I hope to find other books which pull me in as much as this one did!

Audible should offer the other audio recording.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think from now on, however, I will be more cautious about buying books narrated by the author. Sebold's narration is uninspiring, to say the least. As an alternative, you might try instead the other audio version available, but unfortunately you can only buy it on CD (no digital downloads available that I could find). As for the story itself, I loved it all the way through but was a bit disappointed with the ending. It's hard to elaborate without giving away all the details, but I will just say that there was one major issue that really left me seriously unsatisfied. The character Ruth has a moment of clarity which would bring the whole family all the much needed closure they have been longing for, and then.... nothing.

I loved it

Better than movie and I loved the movie. loved the author narration good inflection in her voice, easy listen