Should I read The Lovely Bones?

You don’t necessarily have to read the book first but, given the screen writer’s task to abbreviate the story to fit the confines of a movie, you will probably get more out of the book. It would explain any questions the movie leaves you with.

It’s a great book… I highly recommend it. You might try seeing the movie now, and waiting a year or so to read the book. That way you could enjoy both fully.

I have read it. I was good, but not may favorite.
It was kind of depressing for me, possibly because my dad just died.
I may see the movie, I’m not sure.

I saw the movie, and I loved it, it was very beautiful, really.

Full disclosure, I haven’t read it. Though I know my wife has and did like it. But here’s my general take on book vs. movie.

Many times, far more than I can count, I’ve watched a movie AFTER having read the book, and 99 times out of 100, reading the book first ruins the movie for me.

Other times, I have seen the movie, THEN read the book. Not ONCE has seeing the movie first ruined the book. Generally the book puts the story into a greater perspective and a better context.

YES, you should definitely read it. It really is a great book—very moving, very interesting concepts on life after death, etc. It’s not too hard of a read, I read it when I was in junior high I believe.

The book is worth reading whether you see the movie or not.

Yes read it! I enjoyed it so much I read it one day. I literally couldn’t put it down.

I read the book after the movie if possible… that way I can enjoy both fully rather than looking for discrepancies.

The Lovely Bones was a great book though, so I recommend it either way.

It was highly recommended to me by several people, but I couldn’t read it. I couldn’t get beyond the premise that the protagonist was a dead girl, killed in a horrific manner…I had to stop reading it. I found it too disturbing and depressing.

The opening is rough, but it’s there for a reason. Get past that and you’ll see that it’s necessary.

The Lovely Bones is an excellent book and well worth reading.

Like you, Supacase, I tend to sit and compare the book and the movie. Unfortunately, this means I have ended up fuming in a few movies! I understand having to leave some things out, but plot changes bother me. (If you saw and read, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy, you know what I mean.)

YES, ABSOLUTELY YES. This is one of my personal favorite books. I’ve read it 7 times, and I’m reading it again in preparation for the flick. It makes me cry every time I read it. Excellent book. It’s simply beautiful.

I loved it so much I don’t plan to see the movie. This is one of those stories needs to be read rather than seen.

@Austinlad I agree! I really want to see it just to see if the movie does it any justice, but I am afraid it won’t. It is a difficult story to make into a movie.

I “read” the book on tape and truly enjoyed. The tone and theme is very heavy and dark; but I enjoyed it; not certain if I have the “stomach” for the visual tale.

Good story. Horrible writing. Just watch the movie.

Here’s a trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikUWKi0W5_g

I liked the book well enough. I really thought it was going to touch me but it didn’t. It was a good book but I don’t know that it was my favorite or that I would ever read it again. I am interested to see the movie.

I heard about how great it was from all of my friends—so I read it, but wasn’t that impressed. If you want dramatic reading with a good plot line and teenage subject matter I would suggest Jodi Piccoult. My Sister’s Keeper was truly a good book.

I wasn’t particularly into the book. It just came across as using a gimmick to tell a fairly typical kind of story. The writing certainly is isn’t bad or boring, but I didn’t think it was good enough to recommend to anyone.

Of course it might be exactly the sort of book that would appeal to you.

Family drama + terrible tragedy + sentimental supernatural elements = personal growth

I didn’t love the book either and I’m surprised it was made into a movie. I have a feeling that the movie will be drawing too much on the sexuality of young teens and thusly will be disgusting to me.

I haven’t seen the movie but the book definitely was worth reading.

@sjmc1989. agree. The thing is, I don’t need special effects on a screen. The imagry is already all in my head. :-)

Addition to the above: I have now seen the movie too, and it was also very good. I still recommend reading the book.

I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the book was very good.