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Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: If I can tell you anything, it would be do not pass by this book because of the title. I almost did. Fortunately, I read the book. I became a part of this wonderful book. I laughed along with it, I teared up and wanted to cry. The characters are believable and the story is captivating. It has been a few days since I finished the book and wonder how eveything is going for everyone. As a bonus, you even come away with some knowledge of the bees.
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Summary: Good Read
Review: This was a good read. I liked the story. It was sweet and well told. Nice ending.
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Summary: Kudos to Ms. Kidd
Review: Exceptionally and colorfully written, Kidd weaves a tale intermingling the races, genders, generations, and emotions. When a friend recommended this book, I was expecting something different based on the title. Even more interesting were the author notes in the back of the book which provided insight to Kidd's motivations. I agree with other customer reviews who say that this book cries for a sequel. Who couldn't love and hope for Lily, the brand new and long awaited marriage, the potential lawyer Zach, and the future of the pink house? I have passed on this book to 2 friends who loved it just the same.
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Summary: One Man's Take on This Honey of a Book
Review: Okay, so I'm male. I read suspense and mysteries. I have testosterone flowing through my frame as surely as estrogen flows through this book's intended audience. Is it wrong, then, for me to love this story?After numerous people told me to try it, I succumbed to the sweet temptation. I was drawn in quickly by young Lily's struggles in a single-parent home, and by her guilt pertaining to her mother's death. Then, when Lily and proud, black Rosaleen find themselves as fugitives to the law--and lawless, violent men--I knew I was hooked. Their subsequent steps on a journey of discovery lead them to a beekeeping farm, where a trio of eccentric women will challenge and change their lives forever. Although the writing is rich and smooth, it is also honest and hard-hitting. I never doubted the characters' motivations or actions. Scene by scene, Kidd builds a powerful story of secrets and family, love and redemption. Along the way, she flirts with elements of a mystery book. I was smitten. I found myself marking page after page to share with my wife: "You've gotta hear this description." "Listen to this...this is life-wisdom." Sometimes, I just leaned back and shook my head. "This is gooood stuff," I'd say quietly, before returning to the story. A story written by a woman, about women, marketed to women... This man happened to love every page of it, even if I was left wanting more in the concluding scene. But honey has that sort of effect.
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Summary: Loved This Book!
Review: This was a beautifully written book and will find an emotional spot in the hearts of all women. Lily Owens is in search of the mother she never knew and learned from the Boatright sisters and Rosaleen that all women have the love and courage necessary to live life, within our own hearts. We have the power. It was a poignant and touching story about love and love lost. This book was am emotional one to read. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Secret Life of Bee's
Review: Sue Monk Kidd's, The Secret Life of Bees is set in 1964 South Carolina, during the middle of the civil rights movement. Fourteen year old African American Lily Owens is the main character in the story. Lily is forced to live on a peach farm with her angry and abusive father, T. Ray. Lily spends much of her time remembering her deceased mother. She enjoys looking through all of her mother's old things and belongings. You are told that Lily's mother was killed in some kind of accident when Lily was four years old, but you are never told exactly what happened. T. Ray is constantly telling Lily that she is responsible for her own mother's death. Since Lily's father is so neglectful Lily is raised by her black nanny Rosaleen. Rosaleen is very proud and outspoken but also extremely stubborn. One day Rosaleen and Lily are verbally harassed by three racist white males in town. Rosaleen being the proud woman she is decides to stand up for herself and Lily. Rosaleen confronts the three men and purposely spits on their shoes. The angry men call the police and Rosaleen is sent to jail. Lily becomes determined to get Rosaleen out of jail, and to better her own life as well. She decides to free Rosaleen from jail and run away.
After freeing Rosaleen from prison, Lily and Rosaleen set course for Tiburon South Carolina. Lily chooses Tiburon because of a picture she found in her mothers things. It is a picture of the black Madonna, on the back of the picture it says, 'Tiburon, South Carolina'. Upon arriving in Tiburon Lily and Rosaleen meet three black bee keeping sisters whom live together, August, May and June. The three sisters take Lily and Rosaleen into their home and Lily is finally able to begin a new life for herself. The sisters all worship the black Madonna as well as house bees. Lily learns many life lessons while living with the sisters and although she has lost her own mother, she can now face her past and go on with her new life. Lily is shown the real meaning of love and unity by the sisters. You must read the book to discover how Lily confronts T. Ray and to decide for yourself what really happened to Lily's mother.
The novel itself is full of symbolism. The story uses the black Madonna, bees and honey to symbolize many things throughout the story. In my opinion the black Madonna is the most important symbol used in the story. I feel that since Lily does no longer had a mother in the book, that the black Madonna helps fill that void. The black Madonna represents a 'spiritual mother' to her and others in a much higher respect.
At the beginning of each chapter there are quotations from many different sources. All of the quotations or 'facts' have to do with bees. This is the quotation at the beginning of chapter 1,
'The queen, for her part, is the unifying force in the community; if she is removed from the hive, the workers very quickly sense her absence. After a few hours, or even less, they show unmistakable signs of queenlessness'.
All of these passages are used effectively to foreshadow or hint to the reader what is next to come in the chapter. In this passage, I feel that the queen directly represents Lily's mother. The hive is the rest of Lily's family, more notably Lily. Without her mother, Lily feels lost and shows her own signs of queenlessness. Read the entire story to find out how Lily finds a 'hive' of new mothers and tastes the 'sweet honey' sensation of beginning a new life.
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Summary: you know they're going to turn this into a movie
Review: I really enjoyed the secret life of bees. It was quick, light reading that meant something to me emotionally. It's a great coming of age story set in the South during the Civil Rights Movement.
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Summary: Bees
Review: This book now makes me look at bees differently. I can see why it is a top seller. I finished it in one week. Girls from ages 12 and up should take a glance and see the world of Lily Owens.
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Summary: Has alot of similiarities to Gone with The Wind
Review: It's just plain alot of good southern charm and great story telling with a fine moral and great plot. I felt good after reading this. Another "feel good" book I would recommend is called, The Little Guide To Happiness. Another great read.
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Summary: Perfect Mother's Day Gift
Review: I am a History major with a minor in psychology which is perhaps my way of indicating that my usual reading interests are snobbish. This book came to me with the highest of recommendations from a friend who knows full well how much of a snob I can be. I could not put it down once I really got into the whole story line, and today I passed my copy along to my boss for her to read because I know she too will enjoy. I truly recommend it to all readers
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