The Lovely Bones
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Alice Sebold |
| Products | Novel |
The Lovely Bones is a 2002 novel written by American author Alice Sebold. It narrates the story of a teenage girl who, after being sexually assaulted and killed, observes from her own version of heaven as her loved ones struggle to come to terms with her passing. The book was met with widespread praise and quickly became a bestseller.
A movie adaptation directed by Peter Jackson, who personally secured the rights, premiered in 2009. Additionally, the narrative was transformed into a stage play, which debuted in England in 2018 before touring multiple locations.
Title
The book’s title is inspired by a concluding quote where Susie contemplates the bonds formed following her death:
Plot
On December 6, 1973, Susie Salmon, aged 14, opts for a shortcut home through a cornfield in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Her neighbor, George Harvey—a craftsman of dollhouses—lures her into an underground lair where he sexually assaults and murders her. He conceals her remains inside a safe dumped into a sinkhole and disposes of her charm bracelet in a nearby pond. Susie’s spirit escapes to her personal Heaven but is seen by her classmate Ruth Connors.
Initially, Susie’s family struggles to accept her demise until a neighbor’s dog uncovers her elbow bone. Although police interrogate Harvey, they lack sufficient evidence to detain him. Jack, Susie’s father, grows increasingly suspicious, with his daughter Lindsey sharing his concerns. Jack takes time off work. Meanwhile, Ray Singh—who once had a schoolboy crush on Susie—befriends Ruth through their mutual connection to Susie.
Detective Len Fenerman informs the family that the investigation is closed due to insufficient proof. One night, Jack notices a flashlight shining in the cornfield and confronts it wielding a bat but is assaulted by Brian, Susie’s classmate who is dating Clarissa. Jack is hospitalized; meanwhile, Abigail, Susie’s mother, begins an affair with Fenerman.
Lindsey secretly enters Harvey’s house and discovers a diagram of his hideout but escapes when he unexpectedly returns. Harvey flees Norristown. Later evidence links him not only to Susie’s murder but also to other victims. In Heaven, Susie encounters other girls killed by Harvey and learns about his troubled history.
Abigail leaves Jack and relocates to California to work at a winery; Grandma Lynn moves in to care for Lindsey and Buckley. Eight years later, Lindsey becomes engaged to Samuel Heckler; they plan to renovate an old house. After a family dispute, Jack suffers a heart attack prompting Abigail’s return despite Buckley’s resentment over her absence.
Harvey returns to Norristown as urban development threatens the cornfield site. He visits the sinkhole where Susie’s body lies near Ruth and Ray. Ruth senses the presence of Harvey’s victims and becomes overwhelmed; Susie briefly inhabits Ruth’s body allowing Ruth and Ray an intimate moment before Susie returns to Heaven.
Susie retreats further into Heaven but continues watching events unfold on Earth. Lindsey and Samuel have a daughter named Abigail Suzanne. While stalking a woman in New Hampshire, Harvey dies after falling down a ravine struck by an icicle. The novel concludes with a couple in Norristown discovering Susie’s charm bracelet without understanding its meaning; Susie wishes readers "a long and happy life."
Characters
- Susie Salmon, a fourteen-year-old girl who suffers rape and murder in the opening chapter. She serves as the narrator from her vantage point in Heaven, observing earthly occurrences while yearning for the ordinary experiences of life.
- Jack Salmon, Susie's father, employed at an insurance company in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. He is overwhelmed by remorse for not preventing his daughter's death.
- Abigail Salmon, Susie's mother, whose personal ambitions were curtailed by familial duties. Following Susie’s passing, she relocates to California, remaining away for several years.
- Lindsey Salmon, Susie's sister, one year younger, who aids their father in probing into Harvey’s involvement.
- Buckley Salmon, Susie's brother, ten years her junior. His unexpected arrival caused Abigail to forgo her aspirations of becoming a teacher. Occasionally, he senses Susie's presence nearby.
- Grandma Lynn, Abigail’s unconventional and alcoholic mother, who moves in with the family after Susie's death to provide support. When Abigail departs, she takes on a role in raising the grandchildren.
- George Harvey, the Salmons’ neighbor and Susie's killer, later revealed as a serial killer targeting young girls. Susie refers to him as Mr. Harvey.
- Ruth Connors, a schoolmate influenced by Susie's spirit, who develops a fascination with the supernatural and documents visions of the dead.
- Ray Singh, an Indian boy who is the first and only boy to kiss Susie and is friends with Ruth. Initially suspected in Susie’s murder, his alibi clears him. Years later, Susie's spirit briefly connects with him.
- Ruana Singh, Ray's mother, who occasionally shares cigarettes with Abigail.
- Samuel Heckler, Lindsey’s boyfriend and eventual husband.
- Hal Heckler, Samuel's elder brother who operates a motorcycle repair business.
- Len Fenerman, the detective assigned to investigate Susie’s murder; his wife had died by suicide before the story begins. He engages in an affair with Abigail.
- Clarissa, Susie’s closest friend admired for her independence, including smoking and wearing platform shoes.
- Nate, Buckley’s closest companion.
- Brian Nelson, Clarissa’s boyfriend who mistakenly assaults Jack Salmon after suspecting him of harming Clarissa.
- Holly, Susie’s best friend in Heaven, suggested to be Vietnamese American, named after Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
- Franny, a social worker who guides Susie and Holly during their time in Heaven.
- Mr. Dewitt, coach of the boys' soccer team who encourages Lindsey’s athletic talents.
- Mrs. Dewitt, Mr. Dewitt's wife and English teacher for both Susie and Lindsey.
- Principal Caden, the principal overseeing Susie and Lindsey's school.
Reception
Katherine Bouton of The New York Times Book Review commended Alice Sebold’s first novel as "a high-wire act for a debut author" demonstrating "nearly flawless balance".citation needed Meanwhile, Ali Smith writing for The Guardian, characterized The Lovely Bones as a "resolute affirmation of innocence" and an homage to the American family structure despite its imperfections.citation needed In contrast, Philip Hensher of The Observer described the book as "highly readable" but criticized it for being "slick, excessively sentimental, and lacking emotional depth," also noting its omission of conventional religious condemnation in its portrayal of the afterlife.citation needed
Sebold emphasized that the novel was not meant to be religious but rather focused on themes of faith and hope without endorsing any particular interpretation of what comes after death.citation needed
Film adaptation
The film rights were secured by director Peter Jackson, who aimed to maintain the distinctive atmosphere and tone of the original novel. His vision for Susie's depiction of heaven was to make it feel "ethereal and emotional" while avoiding any sense of sentimentality. The cast features Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Rose McIver. The movie was initially released in select theaters on December 11, 2009, before expanding to international markets on January 15, 2010. Although the critical response was varied, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Tucci) and garnered acclaim for Ronan's portrayal.
Stage adaptation
The theatrical rendition, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Melly Still, debuted at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton on September 1, 2018. Following its premiere, the production toured several venues such as the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and the New Wolsey Theatre.