Family Quotes in The Lovely Bones

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

And they had never understood, as they did now, what the word horror meant. (2.45)

As a family, the Salmons were very innocent to the evils of the world. They viewed their suburban neighborhood as a safe place, where those with bad intentions can't enter.

Quote #2

The guilt on him, the hand of God pressing down on him, saying, You were not there when your daughter needed you. (5.3)

Family tragedies are known for producing spiraling guilt. Guilt is what you do when you can't do anything else.

Quote #3

[…] it was Lindsey who had to deal with what Holly called the Walking Dead Syndrome – when other people see the dead person and don't see you. (5.6)

Being Susie's sister becomes a much bigger part of Lindsey's identity after Susie dies. But only in the eyes of others. She remains her own person, dedicated to helping her family deal with the tragedy.