Secret Life of Bees

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: When I picked up this book at the library, no less than 3 women standing around the counter cood "Ooooh, that's a wonderful book!" I couldn't wait to read it. I'm very disappointed with this unbelievable and often silly story.

Rating:
Summary: Charming, Wonderful, Inspiring
Review: This was my 'bedtime' book but I found myself snatching it during the day and had a hard time putting it down. The gentle story grabbed me from the start. I found the information about honey interesting also. I'll read this one again one day - something I almost never do.

Rating:
Summary: A Mesmerizing Story
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The constant flow of bee information made it a bonus learning experience. The detail in which the author wrote made the scenes very vivid. I would highly recommend this book. It's a treasure to keep.

Rating:
Summary: An absolutely fabulous book
Review: This is a great book. I love the characters, the story line, everything. It is well written and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but women in particular will enjoy it, from early teens through senior citizens. Read it.

Rating:
Summary: A comforting read
Review: I loved this book! Especially the beginning of each chapter and the references and analogies about the "bee world"... I was able to anticipate what actions the characters would take in each chapter. The characters grew more and more interesting as the book went on, and I loved the line by one of the sisters, "People can start out one way, and by the time life gets through with them they end up different."

Rating:
Summary: Beach Reading
Review: A sweet but superficial and sentimental story. While it has enough plot interest and character development to pull you along comfortably I found that it is a totally "forgettable" book. I agree with another reviewer that this book is similar (in evocative plot-style )to writing Kaye Gibbons but I feel it lacks her grace & wit.
This is a v.good book for airport or beach reading....I wish I had saved it for that!

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous read!
Review: Several friends told me about "The Secret Life of Bees", and I can say is, "Wow! I loved this book!" I enjoy Southern fiction, and this novel did not disappoint. The author did a fantastic job creating such an interesting plot and unique characters in this unusual setting and time period. The reader could just feel the depth of the characters' emotions. Definitely a female bonding book - this book portrays the bonds between daughters, mothers, and mother figures. I agree with a previous reviewer in that a sequel should be in the works, and I hope this author continues to write. I love to discover new authors. Next, I plan to read "Conquest of Paradise", another book I've heard great things about. I hope it can live up to the hype of this one. Sue Monk Kidd is certainly a talented writer!

Rating:
Summary: A Novel of Comfort
Review: My English teacher recommended the book and I absolutely loved it! The book is full of unexpecting surprises and really focuses on the need for compassion and love. Readers follow Lily on her journey for truth and freedom from her cruel father, T-Ray. She finds this truth and escape in the Boatwright's home, living with May, June, and August. THe novel is truly uplifting and genuine. Definitely a must read.

Rating:
Summary: The Holiness of Bees
Review: I think that Sue Monk Kidd is a wonderful writer--intent on the natural world around her and open to wisdom and holiness where ever it may be. Having lost a mother myself, though I didn't shoot her!, there were moments in Lily's sweet wisdom that caught in my throat. However. Something fizzled out. The story lost it's sheen and Lily became the teenager that she was, not the enlightened story teller she'd started out to be. I think that the story would've been much more interesting had more been written about the Boatwright sisters, the bees, Zach, and even Lily's mother. Instead it felt like Ms. Kidd ran out of ideas and sought a hasty retreat from Lily's whining. But the holy moments you'll encounter in Bees, and to spend time reading about such magnificent creatures, is well worth your time. I look forward to more of Ms. Kidd's writing...she's got a lot more to say, I'm sure.

Rating:
Summary: Such a GREAT book.
Review: This book was lovely to read. Great characters - you can't help but to root for them! I can't wait for another fiction book from Kidd.