The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is highly acclaimed by many for a reason. This novel is a true reflection of real life and therefore resonates on a deeper level with readers. Although essentially a fiction novel, this book is based around realistic experiences and emotions so the readers can really connect to the novel and discover aspects of their own lives throughout the story. For example, Sebold writes, “‘I see her everywhere,’ she said, breathing out her relief. ‘Even in California she was everywhere. Boarding buses or on the streets outside schools when I drove by. I’d see her hair but it didn’t match the face or I’d see her body or the way she moved.’” This line demonstrates both the malaise and the sense of comfort that people feel when they sense the presence of their deceased loved ones around them whilst going about their lives. Susie’s parents are haunted by the memory of their poor daughter but at the same time are comforted by their belief that their beloved child is still with them. Susie is immortalized in the memories of her loved ones who remember her and feel her presence among them each and every day. Another example is the line, “And the sound of it that I craved and missed – the sound of life – replaced the endless calling of names. Wet laundry: the snap, the yank, the wet heaviness of double-and queen-sized sheets. The real sounds bringing back the remembered sounds of the past when I had lain under the dripping clothes to catch water on my tongue or run in between them as if they were traffic cones through which I chased Lindsey or was chased by Lindsey back and forth.” These lines are meant to illustrate how when we look back at our lives and our past years, we always seem to remember and miss the little things that we had often overlooked rather than the big events in our lives. Our extemporaneous actions and our everyday encounters are the things that we become most nostalgic about when we reflect on our lives. We miss the simple amenities that we had taken for granted. Sebold also reflects real life through the revealing of harsh truths. An example is the line, “When he woke up after dark he was sure that someone better than Santa would come that night…When the clock struck twelve and there was only distant screaming and a few guns shot in to the air in our neighborhood, my brother was unbelieving. Disappointment so swiftly and thoroughly overtook him that my mother was at a loss for what to do.” Sadly, disappointment is often a big part of our lives; we grow more and more apathetic as we become accustomed to these letdowns. We raise our expectations just to watch them fall again and this is clearly portrayed in this scene. Kids who believe in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy eventually grow up and realize that they aren’t real. People who strive for success and fame will one day realize that they need to settle down and set realistic goals that will feed their families. This acceptance is a sad reality for many and is well portrayed in this heartbreakingly realistic scene.
I admire the addition of direct quotes in your post. I think that the quotes made supporting your argument that The Lovely Bones is a realistic book. I also liked when you mentioned how people are so accustomed to remembering big events rather than small things, because it's true. I think that by adding the quote, it made it very convincing that the novel was realistic. Although I did not read the novel, I am aware that the book was written in Susie's point of view as she watches her family react to her death. By what I've read from your post, I believe that Susie is conscientious in making her presence known to her family members. Do you think that this kind of mindset helped make the story more realistic?
The quotes that you interposed through each argument was emotionally attaching. Like the book you described, each quote gripped me and allowed me to understand how you felt through reading the book. You admirably wrote how the book teaches that people tend to take the little things for granted; something that this book seems to really emphasize. I agree that unfortunately even if we wish to believe in a better future or ending for us, there's a reality all waiting that is below par.
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Adam Aloi
1/4/2015 07:25:02 am
I am despondent because I believe that people will always be forced to face disappointment in their lives. I agree with what you have stated, as it is evident that everyone makes mistakes throughout their lives, and people will be upset that they cannot change their prior mistakes. I find it very interesting that this book deals with themes such as high expectations and regret. These emotions are often affect each reader in a different way, but are ideas that affect nearly everyone, so they are unique in the sense that they are both personal and universal. It seems like a very interesting book!