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The Lovely Bones

by Alice Sebold

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Student Question

How many years does Abigail leave her family in "The Lovely Bones"?

Quick answer:

Abigail leaves her family for seven years, starting in 1975, due to profound unhappiness, grief, and guilt over Susie's death. She seeks to find herself and escape her intense emotions by relocating to California, where she works in a vineyard and distances herself from her roles as a mother and wife.

Expert Answers

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Abigail leaves her family for seven years to take care of herself.  She walks out in 1975.  She is profoundly unhappy and  has deep grief and guilt over Susie's death. 

"Her need to find herself, reclaim her place in the world as an individual, and escape her intense grief propel her to relocate to California. There she seems to find some solace, working in a vineyard and leaving motherhood and wifehood behind."

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