The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club discussion

Discussion for The Lovely Bones.

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1. The main character, Suzie Salmon, is killed in the first chapter. The author, Alice Sebold, has very little time to build Suzie as a character and get readers to connect to her.

QUESTION: Did you feel a connection to Suzie in Chapter One? What helped to create that connection?


2. Have you ever written a story in the point-of-view of a ghost/spirit?

If yes, what technique did you use? (How did you handle not being able to use certain senses such as touch and smell, and was your character able to interact with other characters?)


3. The story jumps from character to character a lot and includes a lot of flashbacks. Did this detract from or increase your enjoyment of the overall story?


4. What did you think of the description of Suzie’s Heaven?


5. Overall, people love this book or they hate it. Where do you stand?

2. I wrote a short story in the point-of-view of a ghost and it was an interesting experience. She couldn't smell her mother's perfume, see her reflection in a mirror, touch anything. Those were all things I had to remember. Of course, I also added in her grief...how she's young and she realizes she won't get to do the things that so many others get to do.

Only one character, the detective, can see and hear her. Before my ghostly character realizes this, she talks to the detective and the medical examiner openly, often yelling.


3. Flashbacks can harm a story if there are too many or there's no clear lead into or out of the flashback and readers can't figure out what time their in. For me, this detracts from my enjoyment.


4. We all have our own idea of what Heaven would look like. I think Suzie's description works for her age and personality.

I chose to read the other book, BUT

2. I have never written a story from a spirit's POV but sounds fun. I plan to try it in the future.

Juneta wrote: "I chose to read the other book, BUT

2. I have never written a story from a spirit's POV but sounds fun. I plan to try it in the future."

I'm glad you're interested in trying it out. It truly makes for an interesting writing experience.

1. Did you feel a connection to Suzie in Chapter One? What helped to create that connection?
I did, and I think it was, in part, due to the prologue. Also, the weaving of the murder with her (at the time) idyllic family life, her artistic nature; all these bits and pieces hinted at a much bigger story to come, a full character revealed in fragments.


2. Have you ever written a story in the point-of-view of a ghost/spirit?
Not exactly. I wrote a flash involving a spirit, but it wasn't his pov. I'd like to, but I also feel like it's been done; will people think I'm ripping off this book, for instance?


3. The story jumps from character to character a lot and includes a lot of flashbacks. Did this detract from or increase your enjoyment of the overall story?
I loved it; I think because the story isn't *about* Susie. I think it's the story of how murder affects different people in different ways. It's a story of human nature, human response. Susie is just a different way of revealing that.


4. What did you think of the description of Suzie’s Heaven?
I think I'd like to be so lucky.


5. Overall, people love this book or they hate it. Where do you stand?
If I had to choose one or the other, I'd be in the 'love' camp. The only detraction for me was the last scene with Susie & Ray; I found that a little hard to accept, lovely though it was.

I loved Ruth's part in the story. She may have been my favorite character.

The line about "oxygen we breathe" and how the visions people have at the end of their lives are not symptoms of strokes. This book really made me want to believe that this is true, that there is more. I especially liked that you can view this as religious or not, and that decent people—not perfect people—make it to this heaven.

I also like that the majority of this book is told without dialogue, and it's mostly introspection and flashbacks. Kudos to the author!

Makes me wonder why some people find it so divisive.

Jennifer wrote: "1. Did you feel a connection to Suzie in Chapter One? What helped to create that connection?
I did, and I think it was, in part, due to the prologue. Also, the weaving of the murder with her (at th..."

I loved your insights and perspective, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks! I quite enjoy these discussions!

Jennifer wrote: "Thanks! I quite enjoy these discussions!"

I'm glad to hear that. :)

To summarise this book in an acronym: WTF?
Read my review here to understand why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Answers:
1) She was a well-developed character in the sense that she felt real, sounded like a fourteen-year-old, and her thoughts/feelings were well-conveyed.
2) Yes. I focused on the lack of certain senses, the need to interact, and the emptiness of the in-between to force the character to move on.
3) While still in proper narrative, the flashbacks were fine, but once it became vignettes it distracted from the main story.
4) Being at school sounds more like a form of hell...
5) Absolutely detest it (see review for all the reasons why).

Chrys wrote: "2. I wrote a short story in the point-of-view of a ghost and it was an interesting experience. She couldn't smell her mother's perfume, see her reflection in a mirror, touch anything. Those were al..."

Sounds like a great short story!

I agree about flashbacks :-)

Juneta wrote: "I chose to read the other book, BUT

2. I have never written a story from a spirit's POV but sounds fun. I plan to try it in the future."

Do it!

Jennifer wrote: "1. Did you feel a connection to Suzie in Chapter One? What helped to create that connection?
I did, and I think it was, in part, due to the prologue. Also, the weaving of the murder with her (at th..."

I like your description of why the flashbacks work for this story :-)

1. QUESTION: Did you feel a connection to Suzie in Chapter One? What helped to create that connection?

I liked Susie from the beginning. She was an ordinary girl. Personally, that's one of my favorite protagonists: simply an ordinary girl trying to get through life.

2. Have you ever written a story in the point-of-view of a ghost/spirit?

If yes, what technique did you use? (How did you handle not being able to use certain senses such as touch and smell, and was your character able to interact with other characters?)

I primarily write paranormal/science fiction hybrids, so I write about ghosts quite a bit. My ghosts can see, touch, and smell things but have trouble interacting with the living unless they encounter someone who is sensitive to their presence.

3. The story jumps from character to character a lot and includes a lot of flashbacks. Did this detract from or increase your enjoyment of the overall story?

I thought the author did a great job of this and it added richness to the story.

4. What did you think of the description of Suzie’s Heaven?

I liked the realism of it, although I think it would suck to be there. I request a different heaven!

5. Overall, people love this book or they hate it. Where do you stand?

I liked this book very much and recommend it highly. It gets the Ornery Seal of Approval!

Here is my review for this book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ronel wrote: "Sounds like a great short story!"

Not sure about great, but it was fun to write. lol It's called Ghost of Death and is 35 pages.

Ronel wrote: "To summarise this book in an acronym: WTF?
Read my review here to understand why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Answers:
1) She was a well-developed chara..."

You're not alone in your feelings with this book. Thank you for sharing!

Team wrote: "I primarily write paranormal/science fiction hybrids, so I write about ghosts quite a bit. My ghosts can see, touch, and smell things but have trouble interacting with the living unless they encounter someone who is sensitive to their presence."

Your ghosts sound interesting! Thanks for commenting and participating!

I remember reading this book a few years ago, it still send shivers up my spine to think of it now.