Rating: 
Summary: Lily Dale
Review: Having lived in Chautauqua County all my life, I was
excited about reading about the quiet little town of
spiritualism. The book has opened the minds and hearts
of many in our area who were spooked by this town.
I feel that the author gave an honest account of her
experiences there and left us with an educated idea of
what the people of Lily Dale are offering their visitors.
Many area people have now visited Lily Dale that were
afraid to go thru the gates before and have enjoyed the
quiet calmness of this unusual and friendly town.
Thank you Christine W. for giving people the opportunity to
see Lily Dale as it is.
Rating: 
Summary: A must -read for the sociologist at heart.
Review: I bought this book mostly because I myself am a medium,or a seer, and I was surprised that there is a town in my state with mediums, (spiritualists) living there.I was also curious as the author is a reporter, and I was interested to see her reactions.This book is more, and less, than I had hoped for.What I didn't find was much reason for me to visit Lily Dale(although most people there think like I do).But, what I did find was that I learned more about the religion of spritualism itself--especially since it is through the eyes of a non-participant-maybe even a non-believer!Wicker's observations are very honest, fresh, clear and thought provoking.Somehow, without any sensationalism, she describes her experiences,some of which were surprising, some touching, some strange.
The book clarified some ideas I had had re:religion, and social behavior.
I think Ms.Wicker has done a commendable job!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Recommend
Review: I felt that Christine Wicker's book was very well written and insightful. I have been to Lily Dale twice. The first time was merely to view its amazing houses. I don't know why, but the minute we drove through the gates, I was euphoric, and no, that is not too strong a word. I came back again because it the most magical place I have ever been. I fell in love with Lily Dale and Ms. Wicker's book only reinforced what I felt. As I read, I could feel her struggle at times to be objective and rational. I feel that her "evidence" was more compelling than she allowed. It crossed my mind that more conventional religions are founded and maintained on less physical evidence or on evidence that was documented thousands of years ago and yet their believers feel that what they believe is true as do the Spiritualists. I loved the book and have passed it on. I wish much happiness to the people of Lily Dale. Most of all, I hope this books encourages its readers who may not be familiar with Spiritualist idealogy to open their minds to another way of thinking. I think the best proof that there is something very good in Lily Dale is the fact that Christine Wicker did not just research a book and walk away, but instead went back to Lily Dale again and again as I imagine I shall. During my two visits, I was too shy to approach a medium for a reading...it was enough for me to just be there. After having read this book, I know that I will when I go back. Thank you for that, Christine. You have written a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Odd omission
Review: I found it strange that there was no reference in this book whatsoever to the Natalie Merchant-penned song titled "Lilydale", from the 10,000 Maniacs' CD _The Wishing Chair_. Perhaps there was a copyright issue, but I would have thought that the author would have at least made mention of such a thing. That song was my first reference to Lily Dale, and made me interested in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good subject but poorly written
Review: I have lived in Chautauqua my entire life and am currently attending Fredonia State. I am a firm believer in spiritualism, and while reading "Lily Dale", I was extremely offended by Mrs. Wicker's attitude. She implied several times that those who believe in psychic phenomena are crazy, or somehow not normal, and while she is entitled to her own opinions, she has to keep her audience in mind. I did not feel as though Wicker was respectful of my beliefs, and as a consequence, I felt no inclination to respect hers. That said, there were some very interesting stories regarding conjuring the dead, and I enjoyed the history of Lily Dale. However, the interweaving stories concerning individual accounts of Lily Dale were interspersed throughout the book and were confusing. One would expect more from a seasoned journalist.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Really About Lily Dale
Review: I judged the book by its cover and by the insert of historic photos within the book. I expected the book to give me more history of Lily Dale and the Spiritualist movement. It's mostly about the author's one summer in Lily Dale. The story continually comes back to the author's life, perceptions, etc. instead of exploring some of the profound experiences some people in town had. I think a big opportunity was missed. Additionally, as a man, I felt alienated. Wicker presented the story as a womens' club. I recognize the population of Lily Dale is predominantly female, but does that mean men have no place in spiritualism? There were some men present in the classes, though very few. So that makes the men in Lily Dale the real news. Why were they there? I don't know, it's not covered. The book is really more of a memoir of one skeptical woman's quest to find some kind of supernatural experience. I'm not even sure Lily Dale needed to be mentioned at all in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Too Bad
Review: I just wrote this review, then my son erased it. So in a nutshell... I found the book disspointing. I feel that she is a wonderful writer, humorous and kept the reader reading until the wee hours, but it was sad to me the manner in which she portrayed some of the mediums. I think I kept reading until so long at night because I was hoping she'd finally find the experience she was looking for. I felt she was more close minded than skeptical in many circumstances. Now, I do believe we should all be skeptical of such work, but it's almost as if she worked extra hard to find a way to disqualify everything she encountered. Being a spiritualist and a medium myself, it saddened me and I felt sorry for some of the mediums she portrayed as being "out there" or "dizzy" when they are amazing teachers, mediums and people in general. I'm not writing this as well as I had written the other review, but I hope you get my point. To me, she made more fun of this wonderful town Lily Dale, and it's residents (even with very personal stories!!!) than bringing to the public the good hearts and good will they have. I was happy to see she bent slightly at the end and she understood more of the process of what mediumship is, but OVERALL, I feel she portrayed this town and it's people in a negative and sily way. I hope the reader can look past this and read about mediumship and what it truly IS. Interesting book... gave much insight and descriptions of the actual town, but I felt bad for it's people during much of it. Mediumship is an amazing thing and each medium tries their hardest for the good of all to serve spirit in their own unique way.
Rating:
Summary: I am not a medium, nor a spiritualist!
Review: I titled my review as such, because it seems most of the reviewers here had a prior attatchment to the town of Liliy Dale, or the subject at hand, before reading the book. I picked it up merely for the provocative title, "the town that talks to the dead". I found Christine Wicker's investigative book, refreshing and fun. I am a sceptic & a confused believer myself, and am also intrigued by the idea of the afterlife, spirits - and such. Wicker seems honest throughout the book, her scepticism and her inner willingness to believe in the spiritual insights of the mediums- butts heads, intermingles, and occasionally meshes. The overall focus of the book- the idea that none of us truly knows (no matter what we believe) what happens after we depart from this earth, is enlightening. Wicker's positive message that no matter what we believe- there is real power behind positive thinking, love & hope, and that life can truly be ultimately uplifting. Not to mention the subject matter at hand- an entire town of spiritual mediums? It's not your everyday read- I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: THE UNIQUE TOWN IN ALL OF AMERICA
Review: Lily Dale is one of a kind, no doubt about it. This is a town in New York State that caters to and is principally owned by Spiritualists. You will meet an array of characters that you will find only in this book and they are all devoted to be the benefit of others. Whether you believe in spirits or everlasting life is not really the issue. The fact is that many people do and this is a survey/rundown of how they think and their realities. The author was the greatest skeptic of all, yet after many visits in this town, her beliefs did change to a degree and you will find out why at the end of the story. You should enjoy all the information given and find out how "the other half lives."
Rating:
Summary: This book is wonderful.
Review: Lily Dale is possibly the most amazing town in America. People who today watch psychics on TV such as John Edward don't realize that such mediums are following a 130 year-old tradition of spiritualism, the center of which is Lily Dale, N.Y. The people who live at Lily Dale are devout, religious people, who do not have self-promotion as a primary goal, so the town is not well known. That may change with this wonderful book that perfectly captures the town. The author approaches her topic with respect, but not with blind credulity or harsh sarcasm, and the reader is taken along on a voyage of discovery with her. Believers and Non-believers in the supernatural will be entranced by the fascinating people and anecdotes. The author depicts both the Mediums who contact the "other side", and the people who visit the town. Some episodes are profoundly moving, some are hilarious, and some indeed are "spooky" and hard to explain. I loved this book!! In addition to being a fascinating sociological and historical report, it challenges the intellect and the heart. People who have either one should read it.
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