The Lovely Bones (1-110)

Summary: Sebold starts of her wonderful novel by giving a first person description of Susie Salmon, who was 14 when she was murdered. She was killed in an underground " club house " in a corn field near her school by her neighbor Mr.Harvey. This novel intensifies as it gives the reader all the detail and information about the murder. But draws us in as she explains how others begin to come upon the situation. While reading I realized the quote " Curiosity killed the cat " is quite true. Susie was drawn into the cave like structure by the interest of how it was made and what was inside. Not knowing that in the time she was there she would be raped and murdered, taking her last breath. This novel is narrated by Susie from her heaven. Susie has the options of letting go and resting in peace but feels she can't do that until Mr. Harvey is found. Soon it becomes clear that little Susie wasn't his only victim. Susie was unpopular and had many goals in life and had a great connection with her mother ( before her death ). After her death, Susie's family begins to fall apart and she has nothing left to do but watch. Her once loving mother is trapped behind a cold shell, her brother is clueless, father broken and sister angry. they all just want a way out, but will they be able to make it out in one piece?

Quote: " I would find a quiet way, and I would kill him " ( Sebold 88 )

Reaction: This quote was said by Mrs.Singh, the mother of Susie's crush and first kiss, Ray. It caught my attention because she said it to Hal ( Susie's ) father as they discuss his suspicions on Mr.Harvey. Sebold states that her words start to sink into Hal's mind which makes me wonder if this is a hit to help the reader foreshadow the ending.