In my 24 years of life, I have read many many books and been swept away in many a story... but in all my years, I don't know if any one book has ever touched me so deeply and pulled so knowingly at my heart strings. I am blown away by the whirlwind experience I have just journeyed on throughout the pages of this book. I am lost for words and am uncertain that I am capable of adequately expressing my respect and admiration for Alice Sebold. 
 I don't quite know how to explain this story. I don't think that it is something that a shallow person would truly appreciate... I don't know how else to quite state that. Forgive my lack of verbal expression, but my mind has been stirred and is so overwhelmed by the powerful emotions this story has produced within me, that I find myself unable to think clearly. My mind is currently reeling with questions of life, questions of choices... gentle reminders to appreciate the life we have been given and treat those in it with the love we want them to remember. 
 This story is mainly about life. It really makes you think about things in ways that you may not always stop to do. In a word: beautiful. 
 My words to Alice: Alice, you are truly a lovely soul.