Seems like I waited a long time for the library to finally get this book to me. Once I had it it really didn't take too long to read (not necessarily a bad thing). It's the story of Susie Salmon, a murdered girl who watches over her family from heaven after her death. Through this she comes to terms with her "new life" as does her family in their own ways.
Sebold's idea of heaven in this book is interesting. Everyone has a different one and sometimes they overlap. But the book also hints about something deeper, that perhaps this is just the surface of heaven. In any case their are some nice scenes of Susie meeting people she used to know. In fact, I wish there had been more of them. Another thing I like about this book are the characters and the struggle each one goes through. They all experience Susie's death differently which I'm bound to believe is true in real life as well. I enjoy that she involves Ruth, someone who barely knew Susie and yet is somehow brought closer to her after she died. Sebold also has a nice use of narration and POV. In the book a part of the reader struggles with the family to get the murder solved and slowly that feeling dissipates, changes into just wanting to move on and pick up the pieces again. In the end she gives us a little ironic justice anyway.
All said, if you want a different perspective on death this is an enjoyable read. If you want punishment doled out to evil-doers, perhaps try something else. This is more about people's inner struggles than outer.
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