Rating: 
Summary: Well-Written, with Depth
Review: I really loved this book, thought it was a wonderfully written first novel. But in reading some of the other reviews, I'd recommend that you not 'speed read' this book, or treat it as 'light entertainment' or a beach book. Reading it that way, yes, it will no doubt end up seeming superficial.There's plenty to ponder in this novel, and I laid the book down a number of times to think about situations and sentences, or how something related to my own life. I also loved the information/research in it about bees and the often intriguing quotes that each chapter started with, but would suggest that you think about those quotes and how they relate to the story. They add a bit of poetry to the book! Also, I think some readers are forgetting that this is a novel written from the viewpoint of a 14 year old girl, and in her language. I thought Kidd wonderfully captured Lily's brightness and wisdom, along with her ups and downs in coming to terms with what I achingly felt was such a difficult burden for a young girl to carry with her for so long. I did sometimes feel a little bit of New Agey deja vu at some of the Divine Mother parts of the story/'the mother within which we each need to find', but then it didn't hurt to hear these things again. And preachy? No, nothing like Kingsolver's 'Prodigal Summer,' though the book does skate a thin edge sometimes, or maybe it was that August seemed too good to be true, almost too wise too often. But those weren't serious drawbacks for me, as the story is so well told and I became really immersed in it, was so impressed with the writing. It looks simple, partly because an adolescent is telling the story, but it isn't, in fact. So, just don't read it too fast!
Rating:
Summary: A Very Engaging Read
Review: A customer in a bookstore recommended this book when she saw me reading the back cover. I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle this story given that it was set in the South in the 60's. I expected the book to concentrate on the racial climate of that time period in South Carolina and that is discussed in the book. But really it is a story that crosses racial lines and is about human relationships, love, anger, disappointment and becoming your own person. Sue Monk Kidd has a beautiful writing style. I had a hard time putting this book down at night. I don't typically read a lot of Southern authors but I believe this book will appeal to readers of many diverse backgrounds. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It's the best book I have read in some time.
Rating:
Summary: Lily's secret life
Review: I found this book to be heartwarming and life affirming. No matter how old we are as women, we know there is a truth to our lives and we all take journeys of one kind or another to find it. Lily Owens search for her truth leads her to some unique and wonderful loving ladies. I found it's heartwarming and uplifting tone to be just what I need on a nice summer weekend of reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Unique, a masterpiece!
Review: Initially, I was feeling doubtful. But after reading an excerpt, I saw how beautifully written it was, and decided to give it a try.
Well, what can I say?
The main character and narrator is a girl named Lily, whose life is so far a real tragedy. But instead of being melodramatic, Sue Monk Kidd shows the bravery and boldness of her heroine's soul, showing how she is affected by her tragedies, but how she faces life with wit, humor, courage and tenderness.
When Lily rescues her black servant and only friend from jail, they decide to run away, and finally they seek refuge in the home of three black beekeeping sisters, August, June and May,
thanks to a mysterious link to Lily's dead mother's past: the image of a black Virgin Mary.
The three sisters have unique personalities, and through living with them, Lily learns the most important things about life: the values of love, friendship, bravery, hard work, forgiveness freedom and equality all appear in this book.
Sue Monk Kidd is a poet sweetening the reader's soul.
Her book is full of everything a reader might wish for, and every moment is precious and unforgettable, as the author cleverly avoids being sloppily sentimental.
A true lesson, a wonder of contemporary literature, everyone can read it and love it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story from beginning to end
Review: I loved this book. As soon as I opened it and read the first page I could not put it down until I was finished. Heart warming story. I also enjoyed the bee facts that related so much to the characters in the book as well as the personal lives of readers engaged in the novel. Directed properly this would make a great movie!
Rating:
Summary: A Beeautiful Book!
Review: I thought that "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd was a touching novel. I recommend it to everyone (all of us) who have ever loved and lost, or who have ever been misled or comfused. The story of Lily's life in town of Triburon, South Carolina - was touching.
I at first felt very touched by the beauty of the black women teaching the girl. Now I wonder, why did they have to be black for this novel to be a story? If the secret life is one to live that you can draw inner strength from, then why the need to contrast the closeness of the different races in a time when racism was at its' peak?
Rating:
Summary: A feel good book
Review: I loved this book. It definately has ethereal qualities and you have to dive in and believe and not over-analyze it all. It is charming and kind and concludes in a complete way. Do I believe in the power of the Black Madonna - what difference does that make as long as the characters do? It's a smart book with some real lasting points that you won't soon forget.
Rating:
Summary: All ABUZZ for The Secret Life of Bess
Review: Sue Mok Kidd has achieved perfection with this book. What Harper Lee did for Jem, Scout, Dill, Boo, and Atticus, Kidd has achieved with T.Ray, Lily, Rosaleen, May, June, August, and Zach.
The book is a real page turner; keeping the reader anxious to find out what happens next. It's a tale of love, friendship,
growth, spirtiuality, death, happiness, and freedom. Likewise its a story about bees.
I would strongly recommend this book for everyone. Reading it, makes me wish I was a high school literature teacher. This book would be at the top of my list for required reading. The debates and discussions would be phenominal.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't get all the hype
Review: I am sorry, this book was totally disappointing...can't actually say too much good about it. Usually I agree with this many reviews....all I can say is reading it was a waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: quick read but too simple
Review: I have friends who have told me this book was simply wonderful. Although this was a quick, fun read, I have to disagree. This really reads like a young adult fiction book...we are told the story from the viewpoint of a 14 year old girl named Lily Owen.
Lily has a troubled (to say the least) childhood, and she runs off to stay with a trio of black sisters (named May, June and August). There she makes discoveries about her past, and about life in general. Although I thought there were sweet moments in the book, I felt it was all too simple, and as stated earlier, I felt like I was reading a book best written for a much younger audience. I also could not shake the idea that I felt this novel portrayed the black characters in a very stereotyped way. I am not black, but I felt frustrated reading this book, and I found it all somehow insulting. Again, this is an entertaining, quick read. I would recommend it as a "coming of age" book, but the stereotypes did bother me quite a bit.
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