The following review may contain minor spoilers.Having waited many years: for Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones, movie to be released, I have to say it was disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching it but I wouldn’t rush out to watch it again.
I do however love the book. It was given to me as a gift from a wonderful woman, my friend Penny Keith-Radcliffe who sadly is no longer here. The book is not something I would normally go for, with there being no witches or vampires in it, but I have to say I read it more than once. I remember the day she bought me it, we spent the day bookshop browsing, lunch and chatting. One of my favourite days ever and holds a very special place in my heart.
When I found out they were making the book into a film, I wondered how they were going to recreate the story. Especially when the main character is dead from the word go. Not to mention the fact that the characters also age over a ten-year period, but the film didn’t include the latter.
The novel is about a fourteen-year-old girl, Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) who experiences a horrific sexual assault and is murdered. She then narrates her experience and tries to guide her family from the in-between world. Peter Jackson’s idea of heaven reminded me of what I imagine being on an illegal substance during a flower power convention would be like.
Susie recaps what happens before, during and after she is murdered. The rest of her family her father (Mark Wahlberg), her mother (Rachel Weisz), her grandmother (Susan Sarandon) and sister (Rose McIver) muddle through with what has happened.
Her father feels her around and becomes obsessed with solving the crime. It keeps him going but everything else, including his relationships fall apart.
Observing all of this from beyond, Susie gradually figures out she is not alone. First deals with an unfinished teenage crush.
Don’t expect a Hollywood ending as there isn’t one, but I think it ends the way it should. I liked that about the book.
If you haven’t read the book, read the book. The book is deeply moving, the film however, not so much. I do recommend you seeing it, especially if you have read the book.
This post is protected under copyright. SusankMann 2009 – 2014
Rosie Scribble says
15th February 2010 at 2:59 pmI hadn't realised it had been made into a book. It is my favourite book of all time. It is a disturbing story but beautifully told. I'm not sure it I would want to watch the film as it may ruin my memory of the book.
SusanKMann says
15th February 2010 at 5:02 pmHi Rosie, thanks for commenting. I don't think it will waste you're memory of the book as it was based on the same idea but very different. It didn't waste mine but I can understand your hesitation. xx
yummymummytips says
15th February 2010 at 9:43 pmI love this book too. I hate it when Hollywood goes all Hollywood on something that didn't need changing.I think that I will let the book live in my mind (not that I have the time to go to the cinema anyway).xxsian.
SusanKMann says
16th February 2010 at 1:03 pmHi SianThanks for the comments. The book is by far better than the film. Enjoy it. xx
Michelle says
16th February 2010 at 5:15 pmI read the book a few years ago and loved it. Haven't been to see the movie though.
yummymummyno1 says
18th February 2010 at 1:33 pmThis is one of my favourite books ever so I daren't see the film because I am scared that it could never live up to my huge expectations. But having read your review, I might do now x
babygenie says
14th March 2010 at 5:59 pmAm seeing this with my girlfriends on Wednesday so will let you know what I think!I loved the book too.