The Antagonist in The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones is a novel by Alice Sebold that tells the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is murdered and watches over her family from heaven. The antagonist in this novel is George Harvey, the man who killed Susie.
George Harvey
George Harvey is a serial killer who has been preying on young girls for years. He is described as an unassuming man with no distinguishing features, which makes him all the more dangerous. He lures Susie into his underground den and kills her, leaving her body in a cornfield. Throughout the novel, he continues to stalk Susie’s family and friends, trying to cover up his crime and keep them from finding out what happened to Susie.
George Harvey is a complex character who is both terrifying and sympathetic at times. He has a troubled past and seems to be driven by some inner demons that he can’t control. Despite his monstrous actions, there are moments when readers can sympathize with him and understand why he does what he does.