This book is quite different from others I have read. Even though it starts off with a murder and the twist of this it is in the point of the view of the dead girl, Susie Salmon. This may have been done before but I find this a very unique concept.
The Story: It starts off with 14 year old Susie Salmon murdered by George Harvey, a neighbour of the fmaily. This story isnt a murder mystery so this dosent ruin the whole plot as you know who it is from the beginning. Its about how the family cope with the loss and how each person deals with the grief. Each of the characters display a different coping mechanism. It is from the point of view of the girl looking down from heaven. Each of the characters have their own story interwoven with each of the other characters. For example, the father believes the neighbour to have done it and develops his own case and theory, while Susie's sister copes with death by her own and eventually develops a stronger relationship with her father and eventually helps him.
The biggest part of the book is the first year after Susie's death. Which would be the hardest part if someone has lost a close loved one. A lot of events occur in the first year, the detective work, new evidence, the griving period, the end of the investigation, waiting for news, distant family mememders, telling the younger members of the family etc. Its the shows the difficult and strain it has on the main family and how one person can take away the peace from the family.
The one thing I found quite interesting in the book was the concept of heaven. Since Susie is heaven we get a somewhat vague description of heaven ( 'Everything Susie wants appears as soon as she thinks of it') which does lead to the reader to imagine their own version of heaven. When reading this book each person will have their own view but one thing will remain constant, we are watched by our loved ones. If there is a heaven I hope that at this part of heaven is true.
The appreciation of life can be seen in this book. The whole time Susie is up in heaven we can see she can have whatever she wants but what she truly wants she cant have, to be alive. I do think people take life for granted and as soon as we leave this world we want to be back and possibly do things different and be back with our family and friends. Susie does describe heaven as a 'shit-hole' even with everything she has. But when Ruth, Susie's friend, is asked what heaven is, she describe it as ' being alive'. This does show how naive the living are and how we don't appreciate something till it goes.
George Harvey has small parts in the book since its about the grieving family. But when he is mentioned it talks about his trouble past and his previous victims which Susie meets in heaven. But during the whole book, you wish that he would eventually be caught and get whats coming to him.
As much as I enjoyed this book there are a few things I didnt like about the book. I thought the pace slowed down in the middle and there wasnt enough to grab the attention of the reader, which is why it took me so long to finsih the book (that and revision). However there are a few gripping moments in the book such as the father getting closer with eveidence against Mr Harvey.
Overall this is a good read even with a somewhat slow pace. I do recommend this book to people who want something unqiue and different to read. After reading the book you will think that Susie Salmon can rest in peace. 7.8/10
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