When we first meet 14-year-old Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. This was before milk carton photos and public service announcements, she tells us; back in 1973, when Susie mysteriously disappeared, people still believed these things didn't happen. In the sweet, untroubled voice of a precocious teenage girl, Susie relates the awful events of her death and her own adjustment to the strange new place she finds herself. It looks a lot like her school playground, with the good kind of swing sets. With love, longing, and a growing understanding, Susie watches her family as they cope with their grief, her father embarks on a search for the killer, her sister undertakes a feat of amazing daring, her little brother builds a fort in her honor and begin the difficult process of healing.
I am just a few years older than Susie and this book creeped me out. I mean it lets you know that it can happen to anyone and even the most normal men can be a predator. This book also made me sad and feel sorry for Susie. As far as I can tell she sounds just like any girl I know. This book can get quite graphic and can have trigger moments.
I don't recommend this book to anyone under the age of like sixteen. I warn you that there is a mention of rape and obviously murder. There is also consensual sex scenes. This book is not for the faint of heart.
The movie's site
The movie site has the trailer and a whole bunch of cool features.