Host Dick Staub leads us in a discussion about a world described by the SF Chronicle as “savagely beautiful that comes alive in a strange and compelling novel.” The book is The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold. The NYT said it is “mesmerizing ~ taking the stuff of neighborhood tragedy and turning it into literature.” Both the book and Peter Jackson movie version intertwine elements of a coming of age novel, a mystery, an exploration of the afterlife & heaven and an exploration of one family’s dysfunction & discontent exposed more clearly by tragedy. Our guests tonight are The Reverend Jennie Spohr, producer of TKM, film critic & ordained Presbyterian clergy and Dr. Jeff Keuss SPU professor and an engaging interpreter of theology in popular culture.
Thank you for this thoughtful discussion.
Read this book based on your review. I have to say I was disappointed in the book for the same reasons as the reviewers.
An important book as a reflection of where the culture is at with heaven, theology, etc.
I thought the most interesting piece of information that was talked about several times was the concept that the dead are held to earth by those that remember and think of them. That’s a huge part of what I think I did for years in regard to my wonderful father’s tragic death. It was not until just four years ago that I was able to come to the place where I could truly release his presence in my life. I felt that he was free from me, and truly believe that my thoughts have changed dramatically through a series of occurences. So it’s very interesting. I haven’t read the book, now I will.