Alice Sebold

[natalie_1982]

Has anybody else ready Lovely Bones and Lucky?

I have read 'Lovely Bones', and loved it, but I am finding 'Lucky' really hard to get into.  It's a fab book, but I've found it more difficult to read.  Did anyone else find this?  Does the ending make the book all worth it in the end?

[kags]

Stick with it, it is harrowing at times, but you need to read it all to understand why she wrote the book. I found it uplifting, despite everything because it shows how strong the human spirit can be. Don't expect it to be like The Lovely Bones, they are both great books, but completely different. I can't wait for her next book!

[Jackanory]

Like you, natalie_1982, I really enjoyed The Lovely Bones but just couldn't get into Lucky. I managed the first 4 chapters & then put it back on the shelf. . .there it is, I can see it from here.
I am wondering if, perhaps, it was too soon after Lovely Bones. As kags said, they are rather harrowing at times. I am encouraged by her answer to pick it up & try again.

Thanks both of you! :o)

[natalie_1982]

Ok Jackanory, since I posted the question I persevered and am now over half way through, it is getting a lot easier! 

It wasn't the content of the book that made it difficult for me, just the constant jumping from before the incident, to her parents house, to college, to after the incident, to uni, to when she was in the car with her mother, in the room with her father, etc.......  I just felt it didn't really flow.

I have to agree kags, although I knew this book would be different from Lovely Bones I didn't realise how different it would be.  It's almost as though they are two book written by two different people.  I will keep at it and read it to the end, I already have a queue of friends and family who are waiting to borrow it - tight gits!

Thanks!

[hugoboss]

I read Lovely Bones and absolutely adored it! such an interesting idea for a book, and totally mesmerising throughout. I have just bought Lucky, and havent started it yet. I presumed it would be similar to Lovely Bones. Shame, but i'll give it my best shot!

has this author done any other books?

[TracyJ]

Am I right in saying that Lucky is her real experience and Lovely Bones is fiction that draws on her past experience? I've only read Lovely Bones and couldn't put it down. What a brilliant book. I believe these are the only two she's had published so far, but I do hope there are more to come.

[natalie_1982]

That's right TracyJ, I've finished Lucky now and it is a powerful anbd mesmerising book, although I prefer Lovely Bones - I think it is a wonderful book!