Discussion of The Lovely Bones
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 20 Aug 2009, 05:36
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 16 Aug 2010, 03:14
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
- Posts: 50
- Joined: 04 Sep 2010, 01:55
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- StephenKingman
- Posts: 13994
- Joined: 29 Dec 2009, 12:00
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stephenkingman.html
-
- Posts: 2049
- Joined: 16 Feb 2010, 01:46
- Favorite Book: Wuthering Heights
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Fran
- Posts: 28072
- Joined: 10 Aug 2009, 12:46
- Favorite Book: Anna Karenina
- Currently Reading: Hide and Seek
- Bookshelf Size: 1208
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fran.html
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16
It's quite a while since I read this book so I'm a bit rusty on it but I felt it was all about the inability of the deceased to find rest until those left behind had found a way of dealing with her disappearance & picking up the threads of their own lives again ... that awful term 'closure' comes to mind.
I like your idea about everyone having their own heaven but I thought the way that was interpreted in the film was dreadful ... all that Telletubbyland stuff (not my idea of Heaven anyway!).
Unlike StephenKingman I would rate the book way ahead of the film.
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 30 Apr 2009, 16:41
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I thought the author's version of heaven was interesting, or should I say limbo, since Susie stays there while she "works out" what happened to her and letting go of her family - I can't imagine staying there for all eternity (or maybe we do need an eternity to get over this life)
I thought the perspective from which the story was being told (the dead one) was interesting and unexpected, and it gave the storytelling a calmer tone.
I liked the characters, I thought that they were all credible enough, even the mother that leaves her family because she can't stand to be reminded of the tragedy or to see herself in that life...
My favorite ones were the grandma and the father (I was very touched by the way she portrayed him, the pain a grown man goes through when somebody he loves and is in his care gets hert, and how he KNEW that Harvey did it)
I can't say the ending disappointed me, I was very surprised though, and I really liked IMMA's interpretation of the book's ending, I think maybe that's what the author had in mind.
I'll have to watch the movie now, and I'm glad I read the book first, otherwise the movie would interfere with the "movie" I make in my head when I'm reading it.
- StephenKingman
- Posts: 13994
- Joined: 29 Dec 2009, 12:00
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stephenkingman.html
Getting back to the book, yes it was original and ground breaking to tell the story from the perspective of the dead main character but was Susie destined to watch her family for decades until some justice was served or was it not more plausible that she move into the light and be there for her heartbroken family when they move on-the constant observation for years after her murder felt very unrealistic to me.
- Fran
- Posts: 28072
- Joined: 10 Aug 2009, 12:46
- Favorite Book: Anna Karenina
- Currently Reading: Hide and Seek
- Bookshelf Size: 1208
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fran.html
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16
But do you not think the human concept of Time may not apply in HeavenStephenKingman wrote:Although i did enjoy the movie more than the book due to the exceptional performance by Saoirse Ronan who fleshes out Susie Salmon stronger than the book character, as well as Stanley Gucci as the creepy Mr Harvey. Those 2 performances alone made me forget about the disjointed filming style of Peter Jackson with regards the afterlife and limbo- very visually impressive but at odds with the story. I read the book first then saw the movie and was impressed by it.
Getting back to the book, yes it was original and ground breaking to tell the story from the perspective of the dead main character but was Susie destined to watch her family for decades until some justice was served or was it not more plausible that she move into the light and be there for her heartbroken family when they move on-the constant observation for years after her murder felt very unrealistic to me.
or Limbo? I think there is something in the Bible somewhere along the lines that the Almighty's time is not the same as human time ... sorry my Biblical knowledge isn't up to a proper quote.
-
- Posts: 2049
- Joined: 16 Feb 2010, 01:46
- Favorite Book: Wuthering Heights
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Thank you, thank you. I do try.Fran wrote:Excellent post laci_baby.
Thats a good point Fran, and i do believe it is in there, but i wouldnt be able to name where.Fran wrote: But do you not think the human concept of Time may not apply in Heaven
or Limbo? I think there is something in the Bible somewhere along the lines that the Almighty's time is not the same as human time ... sorry my Biblical knowledge isn't up to a proper quote..
Agree with StephenKingman on the movie though. Stanley Gucci was amazing as Harvey. I was pretty skeptical about Gucci at first, taking on that role, but he did better than i thought. I can still see your point about the constant years after the murder, i was dissapointed by that aspect, but all in all i loved it.
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 30 Apr 2009, 16:41
- Bookshelf Size: 0
To me, I think she lingered for so long watching her family because she, Susie, wasn't ready to let go of them and of life as she knew it. I don't know if she did that because she was waiting for justice. Maybe that's way it ended the way it did, with her choosing to be with the boy rather than to help bring Harvey to justiceStephenKingman wrote:Although i did enjoy the movie more than the book due to the exceptional performance by Saoirse Ronan who fleshes out Susie Salmon stronger than the book character, as well as Stanley Gucci as the creepy Mr Harvey. Those 2 performances alone made me forget about the disjointed filming style of Peter Jackson with regards the afterlife and limbo- very visually impressive but at odds with the story. I read the book first then saw the movie and was impressed by it.
Getting back to the book, yes it was original and ground breaking to tell the story from the perspective of the dead main character but was Susie destined to watch her family for decades until some justice was served or was it not more plausible that she move into the light and be there for her heartbroken family when they move on-the constant observation for years after her murder felt very unrealistic to me.
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 20:33
- Bookshelf Size: 0
So much can be said about this book; my instinct (however limited) tells me this is not "serious" literature in league with classics--written as it is with pop themes--bones, forensics, ghosts, sex crime, murder etc. But so enjoyable even though so very sad. Nice read.
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 05 Oct 2010, 04:50
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I didn't view the book as morbid or concerned with how she died but rather that, she had missed out on life's experiences.
- Lennoc
- Posts: 48
- Joined: 03 Oct 2010, 01:33
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I didn't like the concept of heaven, or limbo or wherever it is Susie is supposed to be. It seemed boring rather than anything else.
I thought the last part of the book was just silly. Not only did I question whether or not Susie would have wanted to spend her time that way but I really doubt that any teenage boy is going to be still in love with a girl he shared one kiss with several years before.
It all just seemed to come out a bit too easily in the end. The mother gets to come back and just be accepted. The sister gets to marry her first love. Susie gets to have sex and Ruth gets to spend her life communing with dead women. Too simple for my liking.
The one character I thought was fabulous was the grandmother.