petralenssen

I can't recall reading another book where the point of view is from someone in heaven. The author takes on this unusual perspective to show the aftermath of a young girl's rape and murder by a neighbor in their suburbs. Intentionally setting the story in the more and more common cookie-cutter suburbia housing, Sebold uses the everyday scenery and familiar surroundings to make you feel like it could just as easily be your family. The main character, Susie, tells the story from her point of view in her heaven. Sebold creates and describes the way she believes everyone's heavens to interact, and it fits perfectly with her story's purpose. While revenge and anger seem most appropriate, Susie and her family must learn to gather strength in their remaining family and find peace with the past. The handling of grief and separation as powerful emotions is well done. "...you have to look harder in the suburbs, past the floor plans and into the human heart."

2023-07-27 01:00