In the book we meet Susie Salmon, murdered at 14. Susie lives in her version of Heaven along with Holly, a young girl she met in the afterlife. The two girls end up 'roommates'.
From Heaven Susie watches her family - she lives vicariously through her sister, watches over her mom and dad, and keeps tabs on the lives of her friends - Ruth and Ray as well as her killer. Her constant "presence" in each of their lives affects each person in different ways, but none of them are really able to move past Susie's death.
- Abigail Salmon runs away hoping to forget the tragedy and family
- Jack Salmon is broken by her death and becomes obsessed with finding the killer
- Lindsey Salmon grows up known as "the girl whose sister was murdered"
- Buck Salmon grows up too quickly in the shadow of a broken home
- Grandma Lynn in the absence of a mother, becomes the family's pillar of strength
- Ruth and Ray become good friends through Susie's death - holding vigils and sharing memories of her
Though very dark and sad, I enjoyed this book. It felt honest because there wasn't the "happily ever after" ending. I don't want to give away what happens but Sebold does end the novel on a note of optimism for the Salmon family; however, for the most of the book there's just overwhelming sadness. For days after reading this book, I couldn't lift the fog that settled over me - I had to read a couple books with happy endings for a quick pick me up :) There was only one part - Susie and Ruth's swap that didn't fit the story well, but I could appreciate a 'final hurrah'. So what's the verdict?
I do recommend the book...just not around the holidays. It's really rather depressing.
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