The Lovely Bones

By: Alice Sebold

Narrated by: Alice Sebold

"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."

So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her -- her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.©2002 Alice Sebold; (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Good story, a little toneless

The story is good, though hard to listen to at times due to the graphic detail.
The author's reading is toneless and flat though.

Enjoyed this book.

Lovely Bones held my attention throughout. Recommend it and I am hard to please. Thanks.

Call to action!

What did you love best about The Lovely Bones?

This book reminds me of the stories where we hear of horrible acts taking place with multiple by-standanders and no one taking action to stop the horror in front of their eyes.

You don't get closure from this story, you get more reality, and possibly a message of how it should be reather than how it is.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was consistantly changing and kept me interested the whole time. You ware watching the lives of all of the individuals that were in some way connected to the girl in this story. It all comes back to her. It has a strange connection to "It's A Wonderful Life" in that way. An opportunity to know what the world would be like if it had to continue without you.

Have you listened to any of Alice Sebold’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was the first.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The heart of your family, no matter which memeber of the family fills that role, is the one who can be counted on to take in the truth, all of your pain, and help everyone else to heal.

Any additional comments?

I will be looking for more from both this author and this reader.

Author's reading has just right tempo

If you could sum up The Lovely Bones in three words, what would they be?

Somber, timeless, and elegant.

What did you like best about this story?

The Lovely Bones ushers us into a world of loss, alienation, love, hope, and vigilance. Told from both sides of the grave, it is an unusual fictional experience.

Any additional comments?

The author has been criticized for reading her story instead of having it "professionally" read. I found the author's reading to be somber, elegant, and perfect for the story..

it changes you

im not sure how others will come away from the Salman family but for one am changed. I have been in a limbo of fear since my bout of cancer a few years ago and it's wierd how a book about a murdered 14 year old girl would help me navigate this difficult path. thank you Alice