The Book Wheel

Books, Politics, & More

The Lovely Bones Meets The Virgin Suicides

by 17 Comments

The Lovely Bones Meets The Virgin SuicidesThe Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard
Published by Ecco on January 25, 2011
Genres/Lists: Fiction
Pages: 256
Read synopsis on Goodreads
Buy the book: Amazon/Audible (this post includes affiliate links) four-stars


I love when I pick up a book and just fall right into it. I was a little wary when I picked up The Fates Will Find Their Way because the Goodreads rating is only so-so, and I try not to read anything that has less than a 3.5 star rating. But this one, with its little 3.18, was fantastic.

If you’re a fan of The Lovely Bones and The Virgin Suicides, then you will love this book. The basic premise is this:

At 17, a well-like girl named Nora Lindell went missing. Over the next couple of decades, a group of boys in her class concoct various stories about what may have happened to her. In some, she’s married and happy, and in others she’s a long-time dead. But in all of them, the details are vivid and the longing palpable. Even as they grow up, get married, and have kids, the boys from Nora’s childhood can’t seem to let her go.

What I love about this book is that it flows so well. I wouldn’t say that it’s stream-of-conciousness writing but it is definitely less structured. What is so amazing about it is that the imagination and intricate tales that the boys weave for Nora’s life are entirely plausible.

I won’t give away the ending, but I will say that I am still thinking about book. Nothing about it is shocking or loud, but its subtle and intricate details propel the book into the realm of palpability. And that, my friends, makes for a good read.

Related Posts

  • This sounds intense. You make me want to read it!

    • The Book Wheel

      It’s so good!

  • Pingback: Monthly Wrap-Up: June()

  • I haven’t read The Lovely Bones or The Virgin Suicides, but this surely got my interest! Looks like a quick read too (256 pages)

  • The best books are the ones you can’t stop thinking about!!!!!

  • Isi

    Well, so this book might go to the list 😀
    I haven’t read The lovely bones, I only have seen the movie, that I didn’t like very-very much and I haven’t read The virgin suicides either, but this is a book I want to read.
    And I agree that when a book is though-provoking (or at least makes you keep on thinking about the plot, the reasons, etc.) it’s because it is good, at least for you!

    • The Book Wheel

      I wasn’t a big fan of the Lovely Bones movie, but the book was much better (naturally)

  • You hooked me with the title of your review (love both those books). And sometimes, for me, a subtle ending that makes me think about it for a long time afterwards, is much better than an explosive ending that packs one big punch.

    • The Book Wheel

      Agreed!

  • Oooh, this sounds like it could be up my alley. Great review! I love the cover of this one too 😀

  • I agree with your Goodreads rule, but it’s always a joy to come across a book rated below 3.5 that you really like. Loved Lovely Bones and didn’t read Virgin Suicides. But you’ve got my attention with this one. 🙂

    • The Book Wheel

      Me, too! I have had pretty good luck with picking ones with a ‘low’ rating and enjoying them. Probably because I’m pickier about the story than I normally would be for a 4.5 star book!

  • This sounds like a really interesting book! I haven’t read either The Lovely Bones or The Virgin Suicides, but they’ve both been on my radar for years. I’m definitely intrigued by what you said about the ending; I love the kind of ending that sticks with you and makes you keep thinking about the book!

    • The Book Wheel

      I’m surprised you haven’t read either of those! I read both a long time ago, but I think you should read Virgin before Lovely (not that you asked).

  • Not a fan of The Lovely Bones overall and wasn’t sure I wanted to read The Virgin Suicides, but you make this one sound really intriguing.

    • The Book Wheel

      Well maybe you can read this one first, and then if you like it you can read the others!

  • I tend to have a similar rule with GoodReads, but you’re right that sometimes they can be skewed and it’s a rule worth breaking. I haven’t heard too much about this, but it sounds interesting and I’m a big fan of The Virgin Suicides.

Content may not be reposted in full or without permission. This site includes affiliate links.