I purchased a copy of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold from my local library. It was taken out of circulation and it’s in decent condition. After much mental hemming and hawing, I’ve decided not to read it. If you want it, let me know. Shipping’s on me.
I’ll take it, if you don’t mind.
For what it’s worth, this will be Peter Jackson’s next movie after King Kong.
Okay, I’ll ask the obvious questions. 
So why don’t you want to read it, and why did you buy it if you were conflicted?
(I haven’t read the book – I know it’s supposed to be amazing but disturbing, though.)
It’s neither.
I thought it was really well written but yes, it is sad, and I have a couple friends (one with a daughter, one not) who actually began it but could not go through with reading it.
There has been a lot of good buzz about this novel, but the subject matter is not, shall we say, easy-going.
Cervaise thanks for the info about Peter Jackson. It will be interesting to see the cinematic version of this story.
For what it’s worth, I though Sebold’s mastery of prose was outstanding. I really loved some of her characters, particularly Susie (the narrator). I like the fact that she didn’t go overboard in trying to villianize the antagonist. Although the topic matter is disturbing, Sebold doesn’t attempt to get milage out of exploring it. In fact, the plot, such as it is, doesn’t even really center around the crime that initiates the action. I read it all in one afternoon, sitting on the side of the reflecting pool in front of the Millikan library, and was engrossed for hours.
And then, about four fifths of the way into the book, it just came apart like a cheap gold watch dropped from the Washington monument. I won’t spoil it–not even with tags–but people who have read the book know what I mean. I guess it doesn’t bother some people; to me, it just blew the whole tone of the book right out of the water. I couldn’t believe that the editor let her get away with that. It was a cheat, a n archtypical deus ex machina. Ug.
And the resolution was…inane.
It’s not really my usual type of fare, but then it’s very unusual for what is nominally a supernatural thriller/drama. I hope Sebold writes another novel. I think she’s a fantastic writer. I just want someone standing behind her to whack her on the head when she attempts to derail like that.
Stranger
Stranger
I know what you mean.
But I still loved the book.
Never read it, but I always wondered if there was more to the story than it seems from reports. If it is something like I suspect it might be, i.e. some sort of communication/action between the spirit and “real” worlds,then the author would have no chance of pulling it off satisfyingly for me, because if there is no communication, it would seem to tread close to the line of propagantic mysticism, because that’s what many people actually believe the world is like. But if there is, it turns from what seems to promise a non-communicative metaphysics into a run of the mill sci fi.
[QUOTE=Ludovic]
If it is something like I suspect it might be,
Yep. You hit it on the head. There are some other issues with the resolution, too, that I found unsatisfying and cheap, but that’s the biggie.
Still, a good read if for nothing other than the prose. Sebold can spin words like Orson Welles could do slight-of-hand. She just needs someone to kick her back on the trail before she heads over the cliff.
Stranger
[hijack]
Since UrbanChic’s giving away a book, I guess I could lose one, too. I have here one hardback copy of after the quake: stories by Haruki Murakami. I read it once and I’ve really been keeping it only because I like the pretty book jacket. I’ll pay shipping. Anybody want it?
[/hijack]
Send me your mailing info–my email address is in my profile.
choie, I really don’t know why I bought it. I remember some buzz about it a couple of years ago. Also, and I realize this is silly, but the author of the book I’m currently reading had a blurb on the back cover. It was destiny, right? Well, destiny for Naz, at least. Plus, it was fifty cents.
I won’t be reading it for several reasons. First, I rarely read fiction, and when I do it must come highly recommended from people like me–cynical, misanthropic and all around curmudgeonly. Second, I really don’t need anything bumming me out right now. I know that sounds shallow, but I’ve got enough going on right now. Finally, the subject matter doesn’t really interest me. I thought I’d mull it over and see if I could read something outside my preferred genre. I’m sure I can, but I won’t start with this book.
Bad move – buying that tripe
Good move – giving it away
I can’t remember a book so thoroughly disgusting me in the last 10 years with its overall juvenile look at the world – and don’t try to sell me on it as the author’s presenting it through the eyes of the protaganist, because I don’t buy it. I find it unfortunate that people want to ascribe greatness to this over-rated piece of #@$%.
I don’t mean to start a flame war and I haven’t tried to re-read it since it came out, but I was truly offended by this book.
I encourage anyone who is curious to take advantage of the fee copies offer here. Paying for this only makes it hurt more.
Good thing I’m able to hold back and candy coat my feelings about this or I’d really let loose with a tirade. 
Ooh, ooh… I love Murakami. If nobody’s claimed it yet, I would love to have it.
Son of a… that was supposed to be in reply to Naz’s offer. I’ll then put up my own offer once I get home. This is a pretty good book circle thing going on.
Well, as long as we’re giving away other books, I’ve another one. If you’d like The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, it’s yours. It’s a paperback edition, and in good condition. Like my last offer, just reply first to this thread and it’s yours. Shipping, again, is on me.
I’ll comb my office for other books I won’t be reading again.
Sure thing, just shoot me an email. Addy’s in my profile.
Hey, this sharing thing is fun. 
Ha. I have this book and although I’ve read the whole thing, I was a little disappointed.
It’s not a bad book, but she was working with such a great premise that I was kind of expecting a bigger ending. Instead, I got to read about how Susie has sex with her childhoold sweetheart. At that point, it got a little too weird for me.
It was really well written, at least.