Secret Life of Bees

Rating:
Summary: New Age through and through
Review: I found this book an enjoyable read filled with colorful, eclectic characters. Set in the 1960's south we read of struggles with racism and a perserverance of individual courage. Also we learn about forgiveness and friendship. The book was well written and fast moving. The only thing that turned me off was the whole New Age "goddess within" theme, but thats just my personal taste (or distaste). All in all, an excellent book, made me feel like going and having a spoon full of honey! Pick up a copy and join the BUZZ!

Rating:
Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: My book club, The Jane Does of Raleigh, NC, recommended "The Secret Life of Bees" for the GMA Read This Book club. The story is a hopeful one of family and sanctuary being defined by love, trust, bonding, and protection rather than by birth, race, or socioeconomics. I was particularly struck by the author's ability to people her novel with an array of black characters who were each shown to be individuals. From the regal August, to the sweet and simple May, to the bitter and distant June, Sue Monk Kidd showed with her first novel what most writers miss--- all black people are not alike, and do not think, act, look or live exactly the same lives. How refreshing and how hopeful it makes me that this author realizes and clearly demonstrates that people are just people who want all the same basic things, after all. This is a wonderful story and a journey that will spark meaningful and productive conversations in churches, book clubs, and families across America about race and family. I love southern authors because they are inclusive, because like the newspaper they are "black and white and read all over". I can't wait to see what Sue Monk Kidd has in store for readers in the future. She cetainly has a fan in me.

Rating:
Summary: A HEART WARMING JOURNEY THAT IS A REAL PAGE TURNER
Review: I WOULD DEFINETLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! What a wonderful journey the author takes the reader on. It was actually hard to put this book down. I loved the characters and wanted to find out what would happen to them next! This book is an easy and wonderful read!

Rating:
Summary: A lovely book, emotional and full of surprises.
Review: This book appealed to me in a lot of ways. Already the first paragraphe caught my attention. The style is original and full of poetry, and so lively it makes you want to go on reading. The main characters are very likable (except for Lily's father of course) and the story line is full of surprises. There's even a hint of romance. There is also tragedy, alleviated by the author's faith and her marvellous sense of humour. A book that I can only recommend... it won't disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: Great First Novel!
Review: I read this book last week and certainly was impressed. It probably isn't the sort of book I'd normally pick up and read, but I was stuck somewhere for a few days and I hadn't thought to bring a book along to read. My wife had two novels with her, and The Secret Life of Bees was one of them. But I have to say, I was terribly impressed.
The story follows a young girl, 15 I think, who gets in all manner of trouble and is eventually saved by a totally unusual bunch of older black ladies, in particular by a very unique beekeeper.
Although not a mystery per se, this one does read like a mystery, you never quite know everything until the very end. This keeps the level of suspense up high, making the book a bonafide page-turner.
I write my own self ... and I appreciate just how difficult it is to write well, clearly, brightly, missing nothing the way Sue Monk Kidd does here.
She is especially good with characters, each of whom is completely different, interesting, and real. I also feel that this book is unusual because it is so open minded. It could be a young adult novel but actually it could just as well simply be a novel for adults. I used to be a high school teacher and this book would be a hit with many kids, boys or girls, and not only would they enjoy it as simply a good read, but it would teach them a thing or two in the process.
The story takes place in the deep South in the mid 1960's, at the start of the civil rights movement. I myself was a runaway teenager working in carnivals there in the South in those same days, and the author has captured that mood, time and place perfectly. Tolerance may be the over-lying theme of this fun, interesting, at times quite sad but still uplifting new novel, and it is all expertly mined in this terrific book. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't want this book to end!!
Review: I just finished reading this incredible book yesterday, and I miss the characters! Sue Monk Kidd wrote a touching, wonderful, funny story with amazing characters -- I can't say enough about this book! I had been hearing about it for some time, and finally got around to purchasing it -- I'm going out tomorrow to buy a couple more to give as gifts... I highly recommend this book and look forward to more fiction from this gifted author!!

Rating:
Summary: The Secret Life of Bees (CD version)
Review: Not only is this an artfully crafted book with an absorbing story and lyrical writing, but on the unabridged CD version, it is beautiful to listen to. Narrator, Jenna Lamia's voice transports you into the scenes and is perfectly suited to the main characters.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book Club Read
Review: I read this book as a member of a book club and absolutely loved it. Our group likes a good read which also weaves in facts that you wouldn't otherwise know/learn about (i.e., Memoirs of a Geisha) - this is perfect. Not only do you read a great tale of a young girl searching for the truth behind her mother's death, but you get a glimpse into the racial tensions in the 1960s as well as a bit of bee harvesting! A quick, well-written novel you will want to read straight through.

Rating:
Summary: Book of the year!
Review: The charecters in this book will keep you engaged from start to finish. Long after you finish the book you will actually miss them! I wanted more of Lily, T. Ray, and Rosaleen. And how could you forget the 'Calendar Sisters' in August, May and June! A brilliant story and originality make this one of the books of the year...easily!

Rating:
Summary: My new favorite book
Review: This book is so full of wisdom and is beautifully written. It is also a page-turner. I simply could not read it fast enough and now want to go back and start over. I loved it that much. It is an inspiration. Not since the Ya-Ya's has a book touched me like this.