Discuss your thoughts on the book here as soon as you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else can answer if you have a question? We're not really looking for in depth discussions...just tell us what you think of it!
For those who have finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
If you do have something to post that reveals plot details which could ruin others' enjoyment of the book, please use the spoiler function (details: http://onlinebookclub.myfreeforum.org/about12.html)
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 630 Birthday: 6th October
Location: norwich,norfolk
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:09 am Post subject:
I'll be brutal-hated this and found very disappointing and very over-rated...this is one of those books that always got very mixed opinions over on RISI and, though the initial ideas the and concept of the plot are very clever ones, ultimately i thought they lacked a big something in their translation onto the page
I gave this 4*'s . I found it very easy to read but it lacked that little something that would make it a 5* for me. I think Alice Sebold is a very good and accessible writer. After reading this I read her book Lucky, which is about her traumatising rape while at college. I would certainly recommend both books but Lucky can be a particularly difficult read at times. I would be very interested in reading the posts on Lovely Bones. _________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
I really enjoyed it, I thought it was quite easy to read, funny at times, heartrending at times, heartwarming at times. _________________ Kill the tbr - currently 124
Currently reading:
War and Peace - Leo Tolsty
Wild Swans by Jung Chan
The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing
I gave up on this one, I attempted to read it a few years ago... Just couldn't get into the story! And there is so many good reviews about it, just don't see why... that's just my opinion!
I'll be brutal-hated this and found very disappointing and very over-rated...this is one of those books that always got very mixed opinions over on RISI and, though the initial ideas the and concept of the plot are very clever ones, ultimately i thought they lacked a big something in their translation onto the page
please, feel free to disagree.....
Don't hold back Sparky! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 630 Birthday: 6th October
Location: norwich,norfolk
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject:
mummymelly wrote:
sparkymarky wrote:
I'll be brutal-hated this and found very disappointing and very over-rated...this is one of those books that always got very mixed opinions over on RISI and, though the initial ideas the and concept of the plot are very clever ones, ultimately i thought they lacked a big something in their translation onto the page
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:
sparkymarky wrote:
mummymelly wrote:
sparkymarky wrote:
I'll be brutal-hated this and found very disappointing and very over-rated...this is one of those books that always got very mixed opinions over on RISI and, though the initial ideas the and concept of the plot are very clever ones, ultimately i thought they lacked a big something in their translation onto the page
please, feel free to disagree.....
Don't hold back Sparky!
i'm a man who speaks his mind!!
Um - we can see from your avatar that you have quite a tongue in your head.
I agree, vastly over rated book. I found the whole writing style very difficult and really wonder how they are going to turn this into a film.
I've read Lucky which I preferred, although very emotional and quite disturbing.
I've also read her latest The Almost Moon - which again is quite dark and disturbing, but a better read than The Lovely Bones - although the main character is hateful.
If you want a recommendation for a book written from a 'dead girl's point of view' I would try Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin - far better, not as disturbing subject matter but a much better read altogether. _________________ Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden
1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13
I've also read her latest The Almost Moon - which again is quite dark and disturbing, but a better read than The Lovely Bones - although the main character is hateful.
I'm just reading this at the moment and am finding it quite hard going, I must admit. I hope I get on better with The Lovely Bones! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 538 Birthday: 12th November
Location: In the Land of Pies and Piers
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject:
I read The lovely Bones when it was first published and enjoyed it without taking it too seriously. I have also read Lucky, which I found harder to read and quite uncomfortable. I hated The Almost Moon, found it quite a depressing read, and must admit that I didn't finish it.
I read The lovely Bones when it was first published and enjoyed it without taking it too seriously. I have also read Lucky, which I found harder to read and quite uncomfortable. I hated The Almost Moon, found it quite a depressing read, and must admit that I didn't finish it.
I gave up on Almost Moon last night Josie, I Just didn't care what happened and was losing the will to live! Glad to see that you liked The Lovely Bones, even though you didn't enjoy Almost Moon....that doesn't completely put me off reading it now! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 538 Birthday: 12th November
Location: In the Land of Pies and Piers
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject:
mummymelly wrote:
jobar wrote:
I read The lovely Bones when it was first published and enjoyed it without taking it too seriously. I have also read Lucky, which I found harder to read and quite uncomfortable. I hated The Almost Moon, found it quite a depressing read, and must admit that I didn't finish it.
I gave up on Almost Moon last night Josie, I Just didn't care what happened and was losing the will to live! Glad to see that you liked The Lovely Bones, even though you didn't enjoy Almost Moon....that doesn't completely put me off reading it now!
Mel.....The Lovely Bones is altogether a lighter read than The Almost Moon. I was beginning to think that I was in the minority in not liking The Almost Moon, but I really found the whole thing too depressing for words...Alice seems to have a preoccupation with the darker side....I wish she would lighten up .....LOL.....
Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 676 Birthday: 2nd November
Location: Watford, Herts
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:
Disappointing is how I would sum this book up and gave it 3 stars. It's an easy read in terms of the writing style, so very accessible, but I didn't think it was deserving of all the publicity it had a couple of years ago. It's a real shame as I've had this on my bookshelf for about a year and have always wanted to read it, but now it's finished I found it distinctly lacking.
The storyline on earth was good, I was interested in what happened to all the characters but couldn't help but think that Jodi Picoult could have done a much better job with the same characters and story outline!
Spoiler:
I found it irritating that Mr Harvey was able to continue his killings and there was never anything close to solving his crimes by the police. When his death came, it was too predictable and over far too easily. He didn't meet the end he deserved.
Also the whole Heaven business was verging on ridiculous most of the time. With Susie experiencing sex with Ray through Ruth's body, please..... Awful. It's a nice idea that the dead are having a wonderful time in Heaven and looking down on us.... but really??? Somewhat far fetched and annoyed me intensely.
Not one to recommend I'm afraid. _________________ Currently Reading:
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 955 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Paisley, Scotland
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:
I still haven't started this Reading 'The Gathering' just now for my school book group, then will start this. _________________ Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'
I read this when it came out in paperback, and agree that it was overhyped. I particularly remember the ending as being a disappointment. Not a book that I would feel inclined to read again. I have Lucky and Almost Moon on my TBR, but I don't know when I will get to them...
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Birthday: 16th August 1973
Location: West Sussex
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:
I read Lovely Bones a few years back and found it easy to read and enjoyed it. Tried Lucky too in fact I tried reading it on several occassions but couldn't get in to it, a bit depressing if you ask me.
Currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini & The End of Alice, A. M. Homes (similiar genre to Lovely Bones - but better!)
I read Lovely Bones a few years back and found it easy to read and enjoyed it. Tried Lucky too in fact I tried reading it on several occassions but couldn't get in to it, a bit depressing if you ask me.
Currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini & The End of Alice, A. M. Homes (similiar genre to Lovely Bones - but better!)
By the way, hi, I've just joined this forum.
Hi Booki - you are very welcome here - enjoy chatting!
_________________ Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden
1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
. I found it very easy to read but it lacked that little something that would make it a 5* for me. I think Alice Sebold is a very good and accessible writer. After reading this I read her book Lucky, which is about her traumatising rape while at college. I would certainly recommend both books but Lucky can be a particularly difficult read at times. I would be very interested in reading the posts on Lovely Bones.
