Bee Season

by Myla Goldberg

A kooky, quirky, cheeky US debut.

Eliza Naumann, a seemingly unremarkable eleven-year-old, expects never to fit into her gifted family: her father, Saul, absorbed in his study of mysticism; her brother, Aaron, the vessel of his father's spiritual ambitions; and her brilliant but distant lawyer mother, Miriam. But when Eliza discovers an aptitude for competitive spelling, Saul takes it as a sign that she is destined for greatness. In this altered reality, he ushers her into his hallowed study and lavishes upon her the attention previously reserved for Aaron, who in his displacement embarks on a lone quest for spiritual fulfilment that leads him to the Hare Krishna. And when the unveiling of Miriam's secret life triggers an almighty explosion, it is Eliza who must order the chaos.

Not merely a coming-of-age story, Myla Goldberg's first novel delicately examines the unravelling fabric of one family. The outcome of this tale is as startling and unconventional as her prose, which wields its metaphors sharply and rings with maturity. The work of a lyrical and gifted storyteller, `Bee Season' marks the arrival of an extraordinarily talented American writer.

• ISBN10: 1417626194
• ISBN13: 9781417626199
• Publish Date: 1 May 2001 (first published 2 May 2000)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 7 April 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Turtleback Books
• Edition: Turtleback School & Library ed.
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 275
• Language: English

Reviews

[journalingirl]

Why I read it?:

Yes, let’s ask this. I was reading it because I thought Myla Goldberg was going to be my professor. Obviously I didn’t read close enough because, although Myla is a professor here, my professor is Myra Goldberg. Good job, Lily.

What I thought about it?:

This book is not one I would usually read, but it is unusually interesting. The premise is strange and you root for the main character, Eliza, to be noticed and exalted, but things don’t go exactly how you expect them to go. Also, if you are not a fan of religion, this book might not be the right choice for you (or it may prove your point against religion).