The Borrisokane’s Adult Book Club recently reviewed Alice sebold’s Lovely Bones here is their review,

The Story narrated by Susie Salmon from “heaven ” is a storey about so much happens to those she loved and some of those she knew on earth.

Overall, it was considered a very good read by all. The language was light and simple, representative of teenage year(suzie was 14 when she died), and simultaneously conveyed a “seriousness”. Sebold demonstrated imagination, creativity, and ability to communicate, an interest in realationships.

The start is gruesome and awful. thereafter the book is very readable and credibile. the “affair” scenario between Suzie’s mother and detective perhaps streched the credibilty factor. Perhaps it simply demonstrates the impact the death of her daughter had made, or an ‘alternative’coping mechanism. Maybe it highlights the devolping nature of the relationahip she had with Suzie’s father, in which she could not/did not show until then. The scenario with Suzie ‘Awol’ from heaven and ‘in her body’ referring to ruth her friend was felt to be unnecessary, of no contribution and out of line with the character of the story.

The characters in the story were interesting, described and developed very well, using their individal reponses to Suzie’s murderous death both immediately and then their adaption as time moved on. It was east to empathise and relate to the characters and their feelings. The few direct referrals to Harvey and very few words gave a clear image of the monster he was.

Realtionships and changes therein subsequent to the murder and loss were described and developed very well; family realationahips, partner realationships, sibling realationships, friends, grandmother, etc.. all deeply affected by the one death and loss. Ray’s parents’ realationship perhaps a ‘mirror’of Suzie’s parents’ realtionship!

Time moving on and realationships evoling is cleverly communicated by Suzie’s high level involement at the beginning of the story and by how much she occupied others’ mind too, and the gradual changes to where we get more of others’ life stories.

A reader did remark that the scenes/observations in the book did not always co-relate to early 1970’s when the book was written.

In our review the significance of the title ‘Lovely Bones’ and the print cover pictogram of the ‘charm’ charges near as much energy and interest as any of the aforementioned. now, what does that say????

The group considered the book a Recommended Read and would also consider reading another book by the author!