The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

by Sue Monk Kidd

Lily has grown up believing she accidentally killed her mother when she was four. She not only has her own memory of holding the gun, but her father's account of the event. Now fourteen, she yearns for her mother, and for forgiveness. Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her father, she has only one friend: Rosaleen, a black servant whose sharp exterior hides a tender heart. South Carolina in the sixties is a place where segregation is still considered a cause worth fighting for. When racial tension explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten, Lily is compelled to act. Fugitives from justice and from Lily's harsh and unyielding father, they follow a trail left by the woman who died ten years before. Finding sanctuary in the home of three beekeeping sisters, Lily starts a journey as much about her understanding of the world, as about the mystery surrounding her mother.

Reviewed by ladygrey on

4 of 5 stars

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I sort of loved this book. It's rich with metaphor and allegory that I could mostly totally relate to. The language, not just the dialog, is so Southern it feels warm and alive in a wonderful way.

The characters are so strong, so completely enfleshed it's easy to know them, to love them and pity them. They bring life to the story and give it texture.

It's laced with themes, layer upon layer of messages and truths, realities and admonitions about life, grief, hope, fear, faith and love. All of this gives a depth to the story, a poignant significance.

I love the bee lore, also. [a:Sue Monk Kidd|4711|Sue Monk Kidd|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1574862600p2/4711.jpg] has said, "There's a mystique about bees, a kind of spell they weave over you." I first fell under it when I read [b:Chalice|2828595|Chalice|Robin McKinley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348582210l/2828595._SX50_.jpg|2854698]. This was a much more practical and realistic bee spell, but it was wonderful nonetheless.

My one disappointment is that I saw the movie first and my very favorite line, my very favorite moment from the movie, the moment I wanted so much to see how it was written, wasn't in the book.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 5 December, 2009: Finished reading
  • 5 December, 2009: Reviewed