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Summary: Like sharing a long afternoon with a friend
Review: A story so well told that I felt I could smell the flowers, grass and hear the night sounds of the southern countryside. I only wish I could meet the characters whom I came to know so well that at times I could almost hear them speaking, singing and crying. I think I may find myself looking for the bright pink house some summer afternoon when I feel the need for comfort and understanding. My heart felt full from the experience of reading this novel, like sharing a long summer afternoon sharing secrets with a friend.
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Summary: A must read for women of all ages!
Review: Characters you fall in love, laugh and cry with ...
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Summary: Share this with your daughter
Review: I gave this book to my 15 year old daughter to read and she came back after finishing it exclaiming, " All those mothers!" Motherhood and its powerful influence (both good and bad) on each of us is a central theme to the story and the quest for all that a mother implies (safety, acceptance, unconditional love)draws the reader immediately to Lily Owen, the 14 year old narrator. I thought this book had beautiful imagery, a nice balance of goodness overcoming loss, and most of all conceded to the power of redemption. Sue Monk Kidd did a wonderful job weaving the racial tensions of the 1960's into the voice of the main character and bringing us, the reader, along for the ride as the young girl discovers what it feels like to be discriminated against herself, the dangers of racial inequality, and the basic human elements that bind us to each other despite color or class. This story is about a journey of growth and addresses that fundamental need in each of us to find answers to the questions of who we are. I have found, months later, that The Secret Life of Bees is still with me and I recommend it over and over again.
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Summary: One of the very best books I've ever read!
Review: You won't want this book to end. You will find yourself wondering what the character's in the book are doing hours after you've stopped reading! If you want a wonderful book that touches your soul, read it! This is one of those rare finds and I know you will LOVE it!
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Summary: Outstanding first novel
Review: The Secret Life of Bees is an outstanding first novel for this author. It's poignant and funny and a very easy read. The content at times is quite troubling but is presented with well placed humor to "take the edge off." There is wonderful character development. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: This is one of the best "coming of age" stories I have ever heard. I recommend the audio version since the storyteller sounds just like a 14 year old southern girl growing up in South Carolina. The story is a mixture of homespun wisdom, joy, indredible sadness,prejudice, and life in the south of the 1960's. It's a beautifully told tale, full of love, and forgiveness. The characters are real and as you get to know them, you care about what happens to each of them. I was enthralled, couln't wait to get to the next chapter.
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Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: 14 year-old motherless Lily Owens lives on a peach farm in Georgia with her abusive father and black nanny, Rosaleen. Lily has vague memories of her mother who was killed when Lily was 4 years old. Lily holds precious the few belongings she has of her mothers. One belonging is a picture of a black Madonna with the inscription"Tiburon, South Carolina" written on the back.After Lily's black nanny, Rosaleen, is beaten and jailed after trying to register to vote, Lily is inspired by the inscription on her mother's black Madonna picture to break Rosaleen out and head to Tiburon. A journey of escape from Lily's abusive father, a journey of escape from the unjust law for Rosaleen, and a journey in search of her mother's past. It is in Tiburon that Lily meets the "calendar sisters", August, June and May Boatwright. These sisters are also the town's beekeepers. It is here, with the calendar sisters, that Lily learns about motherhood, her own mother and about life.
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Summary: Secret Life of Bees
Review: This book was such a letdown. I eagerly looked forward to reading this selection from my book club. ... I expected depth and perception, but instead the author presented endless descriptions of the characters' feelings. The plot was predictable. No surprises after the setting was presented. The symbolism is trite. For example, when Lily is told she could be a talented beekeeper, a flock of birds leave the ground to take flight. Southern cliches abound without imagination. The characters were not well drawn. Much needed details about the Nanny and the mother were omitted. It reminded me of the movie, Cocoon. A shallow cartoon that appeals to a very narrow audience.
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Summary: Incredible
Review: This book was one of the best books I have read this year. I hated for it to end. It spoke to me as a woman searching for a spiritual connection and validated for me that often, very very often true healing comes from from the goddesses that surround us in our daily lives. I have bought this book for 5 of my dearest friends and their reaction is the same as mine..."What a great book!!!!"
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Summary: Brilliant... a whole new respect for bees!
Review: This book is absolutely marvelous. Not only will you fall in love with all the characters, but you will fall in love with all the goodness life has to offer. The book revolves around a girl named Lily, a motherless teen living in the mid-1900s. After continuous friction between Lily and her father, T-ray, Lily is determined to leave her house. She sets out with her nanny and best friend to search for the answer to her questions about her mother. Little does she know, that not only will she learn more about her mother than she could have ever asked for, but she learns more about herself than she would have ever known. Lily is a remarkable character that will find her way into your heart, as will 'The Secret Life of Bees' itself. An excellent novel by Sue Monk Kidd!
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