Rating: 
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Book Club Book - which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. I kept craving honey while I read it ---
Wonderful read, great starting point for discussion in a book club, will make you think.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous.
Review: I was recommended this book by my english teacher, and from the time I picked it up until the time I finished the last page I couldn't put it down. Very well written, and it is a very quick read. I would recommend it to everyone to read.
Rating:
Summary: 2003 Top Novels
Review: One of the best reads of the novels of 2003. I highly recommend this novel. It is a work that you will finish in short time - as you cheer for the little girl to make it and as you learn all these fascinating facts about bees that are interwoven throughout the novel. This book is similar to The Lovely Bones for me in that it was a quick read and that I will not forget it for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: a review
Review: The Secret Life of Bees, the debut novel by Sue Monk Kidd brilliantly displays the divine and remarkable of female power. The story of a 14-year old teenager, Lily Owens, sets off during the mid 60s in South Carolina, as she leads a rather straining life with a blurred memory of her past. Living under the household of T-Ray Owens, or her so-called ¡¥Daddy¡¦, Lily is put through more than half of her life without friends or any knowledge of the outside world. It is also evident that Lily¡¦s life is still burdened around a tragic accident 10 years ago- an accident in which she barely remembers, an accident where she killed her own mother. n, where Ambitious to be a writer someday, Lily and her ferocious nanny, Rosaleen, team up as they take on some of darkest parts of US history.
Rosaleen Daine, a half deaf African-American woman, is possibly Lily¡¦s only friend and enemy in the world. As stern and headstrong as she is, her taunts and actions towards a couple of racists¡¦ whites triggers a new beginning for Lily and herself. The growth Lily can be seen progressively after escaping to Tiburon, South Carolina, a place where she believes holds the mysteries to her mother¡¦s life. As Lily and Rosaleen encounter three black sisters; May, June, and August, Lily feels loved for the first time. During their stay with the ¡¥calendar girls¡¦, Lily is introduced to the world of bees, symbols of Lily herself. Sue Monk Kidd tells the story of Lily and Rosaleen, unraveling their journey bit by bit, lighting off sparks of suspense and confusion for the reader. It is apparent that the three sisters hold a connection to Lily¡¦s mother¡¦s past, but of what their connection was, was untold at once, teasing and spiting readers. Kidd does a wonderful job untying knots in Lily¡¦s mind, showing her thoughts and curiosity towards racism. Her friendship with the three sisters and Rosaleen, overpowers prejudice and hatred seen through the eyes of others. Living her youth with the absence of love and family, Lily was able to grow with courage and inspiration by a couple of defining and heroic characters at heart. The Secret Life of Bees is a novel full of love, suspense and wonder that shows the divine female power. This novel allows the readers to feel the sun in South Carolina and smell the sweet fragrance of honey from the bees, stepping inside South Carolina during the 60s, a time in history with racism, prejudice, and discrimination.
Rating: 
Summary: An Easy Read
Review: The Secret Life of Bees" is an entertaining book and an easy read. I enjoyed it very much, but it's not a great book. The author demonstrated that a family does not have to be a traditional composition. Many people's families can be made up of friends. Men don't nessecarilty have to be in a family. I am
a single middle-aged woman , so the power of the 'daughters of Mary' hit home. But I am sure married women as well could relate to it. This novel doesn't have the universal appeal that say another southern novel"To Kill A Mocking Bird " has but then that novel is a classic. After reading "The Secret Life of Bees" I want to form deeper bonds with my friends, live in a pink house , and develop with my friends some traditions. Read this book over a weekend. It's a chick book.
Rating: 
Summary: Insipid and unsurprising
Review: I picked up this book expecting a light, fluffy read. I got that to an unwanted degree. Reading this book was a waste of my time. The characters are completely one-dimensional, unrealisitic, and unbelievable. There are NO surprises, although I think the author felt she put some twists in. I saw evereything in this story coming from page one. On the back, one of the reviewers compares Sue Monk Kidd to Carson McCullers. I'm not a huge McCullers fan, but Kidd comes NOWHERE CLOSE. This book will make you dumber for having read it.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Charming
Review: I loved this book! It was recommended to me by a very good friend and I can see why. This book was totally captivating and the charecters were wonderfully developed. This is a highly addictive book and a very enjoyabvle read.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet, but not saccharine - beautiful prose
Review: A book that I found myself easily sliding into and becoming one with the story. Kidd's writing style and usage of words is exceptionally beautiful. The characters were believable and true, the plot moved along in a sensible way - never was I jarred by the thought "that doesn't make sense" or "that's implausible." The only disappointment was when the book ended, because I wasn't ready to leave that story and give up that writing. I was gripped by the story of the young girl who finds her authority within herself, with the help of loving adults who give her room to expand, and never try to shunt her into anything other than what she already is. I would think this would appeal, certainly, to teen girls, but also adults, male and female, who are searching and struggling for their own sense of self-worth, authority, and direction in life. This book will also appeal to anyone who just likes to read beautifully written books. Kidd is a true master of storytelling and word usage. Read this, and behold something beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I agree with some of the other reviews: this book was a let-down. I kept waiting for the story to improve, but it never did. I don't understand why this book is on best seller lists; there are far better titles out there to spend one's time reading.
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Dissapointed to Say the Least
Review: I was expecting a whole lot more from this book after seeing it for weeks on the top 10 lists. I know there are a lot of people who felt very connected to the story, but I found it hard to accept some of the plot points, and therefore I found it hard to really be inside the characters. The ending wasn't what I had hoped for, but it is a decent beach book....happy reading
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