The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

I first heard about this when reading the "The Time Traveller's Wife" (which I LOVED-a truly remarkable book), on the front cover of the book, it stated "the next The Lovely Bones" since I loved "The Time Traveller's Wife", I felt absolutely complelled to read The Lovely Bones, I read the plot summary online, I wasn't at all intrigued, it just didn't seem like my kind of book but I went ahead and read it anyway. I was more intrigued when I found out that the film had been adapted into a film and Rachel Weisz had a part in the film, I had to read it before the film was released. One thing I love doing is reading the book and the watching the film adaptation, I love seeing a book brought to life.

I went ahead and started reading and it was one of those books I just couldn't put down, it kept the reader hooked and wanting to know more and more. It really was...well, lovely! It was well written and the characters were charming. It may seem silly describing it as lovely since the film is about a young girl who was murdered but it was how the family were supporting each other that I loved, how they were there for each other and Susie-even though she was gone-played a big part in their lives.

One character I didn't like was Abigale (the mum). I understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with things and it was made clear later in the book that she was already feeling quite isolated prior to Susie's death (the picture Susie took) but I just felt she had a responsibility as a Mother and I can't believe she thought it was just okay to just leave them all and that sending a few postcards will make it okay. I mainly felt sorry for Buck-who I adored- he was only 4 at the time. I was disappointed in her and I most definitely wouldn't have been so easily forgiving.

The film was very well done, I was a little unsure on the choice for Mr Harvey. Stanley Tucci is one of my favourite actors and I didn't particularly like the idea of him playing such an awful character, the transformation however was brilliant and left Stanley unrecognisable. The young actress who played Susie did a superb job, she played the part flawlessly.