Alice Sebold’s compelling first novel is the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old who’s brutally raped and murdered by a serial killer. Susie narrates the story from heaven as she observes how her family and friends deal with her untimely loss. The plot, which spans several years, not only describes how the people Susie has left behind move on, but also details Susie’s own growth. Sebold’s graceful prose transforms a once taboo theme into a fresh and astonishingly beautiful piece of literature. This novel may well be destined to become a classic.

Reviewed by LaJuan P., University City Regional

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