Secret Life of Bees

Rating:
Summary: Not Quite "To Kill A Mockingbird"
Review: but a very engaging book, nonetheless. And I can't help wondering how long ago readers first read To Kill a Mockingbird. A lot of things experienced 30 years ago seem larger than life today.
I am always uncomfortable with books that emphasize the "spiritual" too strongly, but I was moved by the August's thought that the strength we seek is not from the statue/icon/symbol (the Black Madonna) but from within ourselves.

Rating:
Summary: I dare to dissent, but this book is awful!
Review: Being a fan of "To Kill A Mockingbird" from the time I first read it at age 12, I thought that I would find something similar in "The Secret Life of Bees". I was wrong. This book disappoints on all counts. The characters are not fleshed out at all, so I never felt anything about them one way or another, except for the father whom we had to despise. The young heroine was written as a rather simple minded creature; her thoughts never congealed into anything concrete. And the assorted ladies were all interchangeable with no discernable purpose. The mother was forgettable and drew little sympathy. What was the point of this book? It was certainly not a mother/daughter story; nor was it an adequate commentary on social mores; it was almost a good courthouse drama but the author dropped that angle. Does this book teach, enlighten, entertain? I don't think so. I really don't understand the attraction of this dismal, unengaging, improbable novel. It's nowhere near "To Kill A Mockingbird" when it comes to characterization, mood, plot, details, authenticity, plausbility. 'Nuff said!

Rating:
Summary: I agree with the author..
Review: Another book would ruin it.. What a book!! Poor Lily. I felt so lost with her. I couldn't put this book down. A book to def recommend and pass on to my kids! Life in the South for sure!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Beautiful Novel
Review: Subtle and intoxicating. One of the few books I would gladly read again. Great writing. Great story. Great characters.

Rating:
Summary: Easy, thought-provoking read
Review: This engrossing novel is a coming-of-age story of a Lily Owens, who has been mainly raised by a woman hired by her unloving father after the untimely death of her mother. Although Lily witnessed her mother die, she was too young to remember it clearly, and is tortured by thoughts and seeming evidence that she is responsible for her mother's death. Her search for the truth, for her mother's roots, and for herself, leads her to Tiburon, South Carolina, where she meets the women who will guide her on her inner journey to adulthood.
While the book is definitely peopled with some very stereotyped characters, the focus remains on Lily's struggle to free herself from her past, rise above the racial tensions of the time, and become her own person.
I picked up a copy of this book to take with me as beach reading during my recent honeymoon, and by midway through I couldn't put it down. Luckily, my husband is an avid reader too, so he understood! I really did enjoy this book, but would recommend that if you are considering reading it, be aware that there are definite racist stereotyping undertones in the development of some of the characters, placed there by the author, I believe, as a vehicle for the plot development.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, slow, slow
Review: Thought this book was pretty much torture to read as it was terribly boring.

Rating:
Summary: Coldn't put it down!
Review: In her debut novel, Sue Monk Kidd creates a buzzing tale of love, family, and feminine strength. Along with Harper Lee's Scout, Lilly Owens is an adolescent character that makes you want to cheer for the underdog. With the guidance of her care-giver, Rosaleen, the calendar sisters and the Madonna she is able to ignore social truths and overcome the tragedy involving her mother and follow her heart and instinct to find family, love and, ultimately, happiness.
This book will not spend much time on the shelf. If it makes it there, you'll want to pick it up to read again, or pass it on to your sister, mother, or best friend so that they too can take the journey with Lilly. This is a story for the females of all generations. No matter your age, you'll want to cheer for Lilly, cheer for love, cheer for life. Sue Monk Kidd's novel does fly high and truly puts a little honey in the hearts of all.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read with Literary Appeal
Review: I picked up The Secret Life of Bees because I recognized Sue Monk Kidd's name from her non-fiction pieces I had read in Guideposts Magazine. I had always found her writing to be down-to-earth and yet inspiring. I also have a fascination for learning life lessons from the "real world" of animals -- so a book with Kidd as author and a theme centered on bee-keeping immediately drew me in. I expected something interesting and uplifting, but I was amazed by the literary quality of what I read. The characters breathe and have distinct voices that involve the reader immediately in their world. Kidd paints with poignancy the reality of childhood pain tempered with humanity's best coping mechanism -- humor. The book invites you, like Lily, to discover that you can think and feel at the same time. I encourage you to travel along with her on the journey to discover the truth about life's mysteries.

Rating:
Summary: BORING
Review: I have no idea as to why so many readers enjoyed this novel. I found the story and it's characters dull and predictable. Please stop insulting the genius of Harper Lee by favorably comparing this novel to To Kill A Mockingbird.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly stinging
Review: This book was a wonderful read with a beautifully moving plot and compleeing characters. Reminds me a bit of To Kill A Mockingbird. The main character is easy to empathize with and you will continue to hold out the best for her. This is no fairytale; however, the path is troublesome, dangerous and full of emotion, but at the same time is an uplifting encounter of a young girl trying to find her place.