Sebold finds life in topic of death

Although the plot stems from the brutal rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, focuses more on life than on death. The book describes a family that is forced to confront and accept the horrific death of a daughter and an older sister. Immediately, the reader is introduced to the narrator, Susie Salmon, in heaven. Salmon remarks on heaven as "a perpetual yesterday," and questions all that seems so important in life, allowing the reader to recognize the need to question the necessity of such seemingly pertinent life events as "tests [that decide] who [is] gifted and who [is] not." Her observations depict a personal heaven for each individual person, not a "one size fits all" as is common belief.

Salmon's place of rest is where she can explore roads and fields when she is not observing her family. She has a friendly advisor, or "intake counselor," whose heaven is a place where her work as a social worker can finally be appreciated and utilized. Salmon's heaven is also unique, with dogs to play with and a gazebo from which she can observe her living relations in their everyday lives.

Under the weight of such a heavy loss, Salmon's living family begins to fray apart, beginning with her parents' marriage. However, Sebold does not blame all the problems on Salmon's murder, but rather paints a portrait of a "normal" family confronted with such a consuming burden that one can never truly understand. Salmon's heaven is not one of complete perfection and harmony; she can watch her living friends and family, but she can never help them, no matter how much she wants to. She must watch in the weeks following her disappearance as friends exchange rumors, her family continues to hope for her safe return and her killer covers his tracks. She watches the wrenching effect of her murder on her whole family, as her father becomes obsessed with capturing the killer, her sister attempts to strengthen her character and her younger brother attempts to comprehend the meaning of "gone forever."

Sebold balances insight into life events with a realness that is unparalleled; Salmon's sister begins to shower in the dark, so she will not look at herself and see her sister. Much of Salmon's observations follow the life of Mr. Harvey, the serial killer; however, Sebold does not dwell on details that are often present in other murder novels, but rather presents Harvey's sickening thoughts as they occur, such as his ecstasy in Salmon's murder. There is no forgiveness for the man's actions; Sebold paints a portrait of a terrifying yet pathetic man.

Perhaps this novel works so well because Sebold allows readers to actually feel the emotions of the characters, not just see the characters. Sebold's view of everyone having a personal heaven presents an interesting insight into what is held in common belief and practice. Salmon's heaven appears complete perfection, yet all she can think of is how much she wants to be back on earth with her loving friends and family.

Sebold takes the touchy subjects of rape, murder and loss and constructs a meaningful novel about love, importance and healing. The Lovely Bones leaves one searching for the "real" meaning in life. The reader is left in the story long after the last page has been read.