ALICE Sebold s novel, written from the viewpoint of a murdered girl, received huge critical acclaim when it was published. Now it has been turned into a film of the same name, THE LOVELY BONES (12A), directed by Peter Jackson and starring Mark Wahlberg, R

ALICE Sebold's novel, written from the viewpoint of a murdered girl, received huge critical acclaim when it was published.

Now it has been turned into a film of the same name, THE LOVELY BONES (12A), directed by Peter Jackson and starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci, who has been nominated for an Oscar.

The story centres on a young girl who watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Saoirse Ronan stars as the girl, Susie.

Jackson explains: "I found it to be a tremendously powerful and evocative story.

"On the face of it, the novel is about every parent's darkest fear - the loss of a child.

"Yet, ultimately, it grows into a story about the redeeming power of love, which is why I think, so many people are drawn to the book.