Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wednesday Reviews

Before I start my review, I just wanted to inform you that my blog is angry with me. I'm not alone, it is angry with some of you as well so at least I don't feel picked on. I will tell you how I know of its feelings on Friday. Yes, Friday. Today is review day, as spelled out by the schedule. We cannot upset the system or my blog might take out more of its anger on me.

So on to the review:



When I'm in the theatre and I see a preview for a movie I'd like to see that is based on a book, I will generally try to read the book before I see the movie. So when I saw the preview for The Lovely Bones a couple months ago and it sent shivers down my spine, I knew I had to read the book. And now, having read the book, I'm excited to see how it's been adapted for the big screen.

Even though the book is told through the eyes of a 14 year old girl, I would classify this as an adult book. Due to content and because she spends a lot of time observing her parents and their lives. Although, maybe I'm wrong. Is this considered YA? Does anybody know?

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting way to read about a murder. The end surprised me a bit because I felt like the climax we had built to through the whole book focused on an event I hadn't thought about once. And also when a super natural experience happens towards the end, it was hard for me to suspend my disbelief as I read it because up until that point the book seemed so realistic (as realistic as a story being told by a ghost can be). That said, I can see why it is a National bestseller: it was a compelling, creative story, that was well-crafted and strung together with excellent writing. We'll see if the movie lives up to the book.

13 comments:

  1. I've had this book forever, but I haven't read it. Thanks for the review! :)

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  2. New follower here... read "The Lovely Bones" a while ago, but it's stuck with me... kinda want to read it again. I would qualify this as adult fiction, not YA, but that's just me. Not sure I want to see the movie... but if you do... let us know how it is!

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  3. I had a hard time getting into this book, but I was told you need to read the whole thing in order to feel good about it. I stuck with it and found it very interesting. I agree with your assessment of the ending.

    Good review.

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  4. very interesting! Especially that you might have a hard time suspending disbelief in a book told by a ghost!

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  5. Ooo, I saw the preview for this movie and it gave me creepy chills. It made me want to read the book too.

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  6. Shannon, isn't it funny when we have books sitting around that we haven't read. I have a few of those.

    Valerie, welcome. Thanks for the follow. :) Yes, it is a book that sticks with you. I'm going to see the movie so I'll let you know how it is.

    Patti, me too, I had a hard time getting into it. It took me few days to get past the first several chapters. But then I was hooked.

    Tamara, I know, it's kind of ironic, but so true. You see, the ghost doesn't really do ghostly things. And since she's in a kind of "heaven", it seemed realistic to me. But then something happens.....anyway, yes, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. :)

    Renee, I love it when previews make me want to run out and read a book. That's the sign of a good preview in my opinion. :)

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  7. I read this book years ago and do remember that I liked the novelty of the point of view, but I don't remember the book well enough to know what you're talking about with the climax and supernatural incident. Now, you've made me curious, so I'm going to have to read it again.

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  8. You had me at the title. Excellent review!

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  9. You've piqued my interest as to how a blog can be mad at you. Wonderfully way to keep us hanging on (winks). I've been wanting to see the movie since the previews first came out. Like you I try to read the book first. Unfortunately with the holidays that won't happen anytime soon. After reading your review I won't be able to hold off for long, thankfully I already have the book waiting. (Hugs)Indigo

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  10. I loved this book. So compelling. I did feel some of the stuff at the end didn't fit with the flow of the book. Your suspended disbelief thing.

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  11. My teen daughter read it before I had a chance to. I asked her if she liked it and got a shrug. She said it was okay, but didn't like the ending. Maybe it has something to do with the need to suspend disbelief that is mentioned here. After that I didn't rush to read it, but I think I would still like to now.

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  12. I agree with your review. I think the most amazing thing about it was the beautiful prose--I'm a sucker for that. And the premise was original, too. Definitely not a YA novel, though.

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  13. I'd certainly classify it as adult, not YA. I read it when it first came out, so my memories of it are a little fuzzy, but I remember finding it unsettling and intriguing.

    And also a bit depressing, so I don't think I will be watching the film version, but I did like the book.

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