This book was okay, but not special, and at some points was downright difficult to read. The novel opens with a vivid description of a child rape and murder that was more disturbing than most horror novels I’ve read. The victim, Susie, narrates the rest of the story’s events from her own personal heaven, as she watches her family members struggle to get over her disappearance (her body is never found). I wish there had been more about the afterlife concept and Susie’s character development after she dies, her struggle to let go of her short life on earth. And the story was so unrelentingly sad, with very little payoff, that I had to wonder why I was bothering to read it at all.

Worth consuming, but portion your intake. It’s a pretty scary book to read and very life-altering. Even in the first chapter, there’s a lot of drama that occurs.

I love how the narrator is telling the story of her death. It really gives you that “fly on the wall” sort of feeling.

There was just one part toward the end that threw me off because it sort of stepped beyond believable… but I won’t spoil that here. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book thoroughly.

It was completely absorbing – I couldn’t put it down. Insightful and beautiful… the kind of book that sends chills down your spine and raises goosebumps on your arms. Loved it!

I read this years ago when it was still in the midst of its long reign at the top of the NYTimes bestseller’s list. I don’t remember much about it, other than I disliked it, and it’s doubtful that I’ll read it again.