Secret Life of Bees

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Summary: A joy to Read in an afternoon!
Review: The Secret Life of Bees is a wonderful story about a girl who just wishes to find a place to be loved. A book that seems to melt time, Sue Monk Kidd tells a captivating story of a girl who manages, through a series of strange events, to find a band of sisters that need her as much as she needs them. The story brings listeners in, and keeps them hanging on to every word. I have a greater appreciation for bees after this story.

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Summary: Relaxing Read
Review: I was dreading pages of violence, a huge dose of civil rights education or a very depressing read. But my friend insisted I would enjoy the book, and I did. I found it uplifting and not "too heavy." Perfect summer reading.

Rating:
Summary: This story kept my attention...
Review: I kept waiting on something fantastic to happen. sometimes the book was too predictable. I think it is a good effort but wasn't deep enough. I liked the characters in the story and would not mind sitting down with them for a glass of sweet tea.

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Summary: a honey of a bee book..........
Review: Very good read, believable, enjoyable, good characterization, and lovely details. I learned alot about bees and wise women.

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Summary: One of the greatest books I have ever read...
Review: This book was absolutely wonderful! I chose this book because it was on the bestseller list and I read all the reviews. This is the first review I have written, and I am happy it's about this book! I couldn't put it down, I was taken in by this girl who survived an unloving start in life. It was depressing in the beginning, I just wanted to reach in and grab T.Ray by the neck and ask him why he had so much hatred towards his daughter. Of course when you read on, you learn exactly where that anger comes from. I also learned a lot from this book, I feel as though it taught me about unconditional love and acceptance. It feels good to have read a book that not only I could enjoy but feel as though I can walk away and help make a difference in this world.

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Summary: As Sweet as Honey
Review: This was an absolutely wonderful book. I related to the emotional ups and downs, in so many ways. The protagonist, Lily, runs the gamut of emotions in this novel. From isolation, bewilderment, despair, sadness, betrayal and finally love. A young girl finds herself unable to connect and relate with her father, and it leads to a path of discovery and eventually contentment through the memory of her mother. Kidd does such a wonderful job with the prose that the story just envelops you. It's not a perfect novel, the beginning tends to lag in areas, but once Lily and Rosaleen make their way to Tiburon, South Carolina, the story moves right along. Pick it up; it will be well worth the read, particularly for mothers and daughters.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but lacks some development
Review: Sue Monk Kidd creates a world for Lily that is soft and likeable. However, it seems like some of the characters lack life or a successful outline. T Ray is passionless and seems to fizzle out due to his flat history that we never get to discover. The three calendar sisters appear to be several sides of one full woman. They bleed together without enough qualities to separate them. Also, I find it hard to believe that Lily's first romance would not cause any turmoil.
The entire story seems to go buy in haze that matches the pink colored house. The plot screams to be developed into a full fledged journey. Instead, it is shortchanged for a shorter tale that lacks a complete climax and full characters. I wished Monk Kidd had taken this to the drawing board one more time.

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Summary: A Timely Novel With Historic Implications!
Review: An interesting and timely story of l4-year-old Lily, a white girl raised by Rosaleen, an African American, after the death of her mother. Following a racial disturbance in the l960's they move to another town to live with three sisters who keep bees.
The interaction and the relationship of Lily to these women of a different race, and their belief in the healing power of honey is an important theme in the story. Eventually, Lily learns more about her mother and now she must make important decisions about her future. A heartwarming book for teens and women and for schools and libraries!
Evelyn Horan - teacher/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One -Three

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Rating:
Summary: worst book ever
Review: The story centers around a young bee struggling to define his sexuality. He eventually opens a hamburger stand and makes a ton of money by selling burgers he spits in. They of course do not taste like honey. The female narrator relays phallic symbolism throughout the book but it makes very little sense. Do yourself a favor and buy the newest Danielle Steele instead. Its a must read!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't get through it
Review: It is hard to believe there are so many readers who give this book a glowing review. To me, it seemed as if the author was more intent on creating quirky, off-the-wall characters than in telling a good story. I finally had to put it down about 3/4 of the way through due to the apathy I felt for each and every character in this sappy book. Oh, and the reader that said it was "alot like Gone with the Wind" should probably go back and take another look at GWTW.