Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones

I had heard mixed comments about The Lovely Bones, some thought it was excellent, most found it sad, but also others found it quite badly written. Thus, it was with some dread that I started it thinking I would be disappointed.

Yes, the book is sad. It is written from the perspective of Susie Salmon, a fourteen year old girl in heaven who was raped and murdered by a neighbour, and we hear how she watches over her family and friends in the days (and ultimately years) after her death. The writing isn't bad although I have some issues with an individual's 'heaven' and the fact that it exists at all, that is the worst part of the book for me. However the police process in the investigation of her murder and observations in the way her family is torn apart by the tragedy are interesting. The ending is very disappointing and even more unbelievable.

Overall it is not a bad book, it has parts that are moving and gripping. Unfortunately it also has parts that are very weak.