is the book "the lovely bones" by Alice Sebold good?

Answer 1

YES!!! It was recommended to me and I didn't know what I was getting into. The first few pages are shocking and you wonder what can happen next. It's told from the point of view of a 14 year old murder victim. The subject matter is tough, but it's well written. You see how her death affects the entire family and community; they have to deal with loss and grief, and each does in their own way. Even the protagonist grows, though she is no longer among the living.

I read her other book, the memoir Lucky. It's another tough subject - the author was raped on her last day of her freshman year of college. She was "lucky" the officer said, because someone else had been raped and dismembered in the same place. You go with her on her journey; it's not very pretty, but considering the subject, that makes sense. I'd recommend it as well.

Answer 2

I read this book too and must say that it is quite confusing! However having re-read it, this is my interpretation: It's as the ship being set free is used to represent the fact that the girl(sorry cannot remember her name!) has also been freed and can now therefore rest in peace in heaven. 'when the world in the bottle defended, soley, on me' could be interpreted as portraying the fact that all of the people that were once a part of the girls life could not think about much else except her mysterious death ... creating "tension". Overall the ship is a symbol used to illustrate the characters state of mind.

Answer 3

This depends on your definition of good. Was it well written and poignant? Absolutely. Like most people have mentioned, it does deal with some tough subject matter such as the rape of a young girl. If you have ready A Boy Called It then this book is somewhat similar although its not a biography. Definitely a book unlike any other I have ever read.

Susan Sontag's theory that something is not truly art unless it has the capacity to make us nervous definitely applies well to this book.

Answer 4

I loved the "idea" of the book - the fact that the main character is someone who has passed on and is still walking among the living while her killer runs free. However, the actual writing was not so great in my opinion. It's a very quick, easy read. If that's what you want, then great. If you want a challenge, though, I would suggest something else.

Answer 5

It is a great book. It flies by like you were having it read to you. But it is sad and horrifying. At least it has a good ending. Just thinking about it makes me feel the emotions in that book.
Remember that it is a scary story, dealing with the worst things in humanity. But it is so beautifully told.

Answer 6

AMAZING. I love Alice Sebold. It's about a girl who is murdered and is watching down from heaven after her death. She sees her family, her killer, how they react to her death... it's a great read.

Answer 7

I thought it started off great. I found it to be unique and couldn't imagine where someone would come up with the idea like this for a book. Unfortunately I found the ending to be a little lacking. I thought she reverted to cliches to end up the story.

However I liked it enough to read her memoir "Lucky" which gave me insight as to how she came up with the idea for the story.

Answer 8

I liked it enough to finish it before the month was over and that says a lot i dont usually finish books. check it out there is a book before or after that you should read too

Answer 9

Yes it is a wonderful book. It is somewhat sad but there is alot of hope in it too. I found alot of what I already believed within this book. I really recommend this book.

Answer 10

I loved it, but my sister hated it. You have to read it knowing the only resolution to the book is justice for the main character. It's kind of dark, but very witty.
It reminded me of "Hotel World" by Ali Smith. I recommend that one too.