The Lovely Bones

‘My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.’ So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her—her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, and even joy. The novel takes readers on Susie’s journey as she watches her family and friends struggle to move on with their lives while she herself moves through the stages of grief and acceptance in her unique heaven. Sebold’s searing insight into the aftermath of violence and the enduring power of love make this novel both heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. This bestselling novel has touched millions of readers worldwide with its profound meditation on love, loss, and renewal.