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Summary: There's a Madonna-Queen Bee in all of us
Review: As a motherless daughter who's about to be a mother, the themes in The Secret Life of Bees resonate with me. I can relate to Lily's quest for finding answers about her mother and her parents' relationship; I can relate to her not feeling worthy of love; and I can relate, especially, to her realization that there are mothers all around us AND in our hearts, if we're willing to accept them and rely on them. It's a beautiful story with a satisfying, realistic ending.Granted, this is a "beach read," not high literature, but there's nothing wrong with a novel that draws you in to a small, colorful world and moves swiftly along to the narration of a young teenager. (Weren't we all 14 once?) I especially love the beekeeping tidbits throughout, which give the story a touch of magic. Kidd's use of metaphor to describe emotions, senses, and memories is adroit. Some of the characters are cliche and flat, but all are enjoyable. I want to know more about August's life -- how has she become so wise and loving? -- but understand that this was Lily's story... perhaps a prequel, Ms. Kidd?
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Summary: Cross Those Old Southern Boundaries
Review: "The Secret Life of Bees" is one of those books that got so much hype and presentation that I almost didn't bother to read it....I usually don't find bestsellers very appealing. However I kept running across the book and decided to give it a try. I LOVED this book. Sue Monk Kidd writes beautifully about a young white girl in search of her own mystery. She finds her answers in a unique and forbidden place, the home of Black Madonnas and bees. I imagine Jim Crow is rolling over in his grave about now! A perfect book for our times crossing racial divides and knocking them into dust. Love and respect can conquer all. I was very impressed with the way Kidd involves bees as their own character within the book. I learned something I never knew about honey, not just that it is sweet, but that it can also be considered medicinal. The story is woven together by the bees and their glorious honey in a way that keeps you reading until the very end. You will never look at bees or race in quite the same way.
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Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: The Secret Life of Bees is a charming and heart-warming story. During the summer when she is 14, Lily goes on a journey to uncover the mystery of her mother's past. In the process, she does a lot of growing up and she meets people who change her life for the better. The book is set during the 1960's, and although Lily is white, she finds a home full of love and support among black women in the rural south. Sue Monk Kidd created wonderful character through Lily. Her sincerity and thoughtfulness makes the reader immediately embrace her. You truly feel for her as she comes to terms with her mother's death. However, despite her struggles, she is a witty, intelligent and positive girl. Her relationship with Zack is endearing and innocent, and it is a pleasure to witness. The eccentric Boatwright sisters and the outspoken Rosaleen add even more depth to the story. The Secret Life of Bees is set in South Carolina during the Civil Rights Movement. Although this is incorporated, it does not dominate the story. Lily's relationships with Rosaleen, Zack, and the Boatwrights and able to break through the racial boundaries of the day, proving love is stronger than hate. Sue Monk Kidd's beautiful style of writing makes her book a delight to read. The symbolic incorporation of the bees throughout the novel is clever. Kidd's fascination with religion is apparent through the worship of the Black Madonna, revered by the Daughters of Mary. The vivid descriptions of the rituals of Mary Day make you feel like you are in the middle of the action.
I was pleased that the author treated this somewhat unusual religion with respect rather than ridicule. The Secret Life of Bees was a pleasure to read, and it held my attention from beginning to end. Although it is not a fairy tale story, I was glad that Lily was able to emerge as a strong young woman in the end. The conclusion held true to the honesty that was prevalent throughout the novel.
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Summary: 6th Grade reading material
Review: Although this book told a pleasant enough story, I found it reminiscent of the type of books I used to read when I was 10 years old: sweet plot, characters with little depth, and an unrealistic picture of a time period. I felt almost guilty for actually finishing this book - and insulted on behalf of many of the charachters. The stereotypical personalities, along with the lack of anything more than a superficial attention to the nuances of each, gave an impression that that they were no better than a group of simpletons. It's possible that this all got edited out to make it a shorter book, but if so, they should edit some of it back in. My advice to an adult looking for more than beach reading is to select something else.
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Summary: Perfect for a summer day
Review: This book is satifying tale that curls itself around the reader -- like a cat dozing in the sun.
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Summary: Rewiew from a reader
Review: I just read this book and i really enjoyed it. I normally would not pick up a book of this type, but I wanted something different, so I picked it up. This book is very interesting all the way through and I would have never guessed the ending. There are some books that you read and you can tell what is going to happen halfway through the book and you couldn't in this book, that is what I liked about it. I thought it showed a great bond of mother and daughter with also a side of racism at the same time. I really liked this book and I would definitley recommend it to others.
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Summary: A wordsmith for the ages!
Review: The author uses words that paint pictures with such beauty and eloquence that individual sentences are sometimes worth reading the entire book. Absolutely Shakespearean in her command of the language.
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Summary: Secret Life of Bees
Review: The Secret Life of Bees was an excellent book. It is a book that readers of all ages will enjoy. Sue Monk Kidd has an excellent style and tells a breath taking story of a young girl trying to fit in.
Lily, a 14 year old white girl, runs away with her African American nanny, Rosaleen, to find her roots, in Tibourn, South Carolina. After a tough childhood with an abusive father and a deceased mother, Tibourn, South Carolina is just the sort of warm and welcoming enviornment Lily needs. The relationship that Lily has with the three sisters and Rosaleen is heart warming. The 5 women love each other and would do anything to help one another out. The story shows how listening to your true inner 'bee' can really be to your benefit.
The ending of the story is quite compelling and inspirational. It is a wonderful book that i suggest for all readers.
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Summary: Student Readers Perspective
Review: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is an amazing story of a young southern girl named Lily and how the tragic event of her mother's death has shaped her life. She is growing up on a peach farm with her harsh and often abusive father T-Ray, as well as her black "nanny" Rosaleen. Most of Lily's time is spent daydreaming about her deceased mother, and the faint memories she has of the mysterious day that she died. After the couragous Rosaleen stands up to some bitter racists in town, her and Lily end up being throw into jail. After many twists and turns, this ends up becoming the catalyst for the trip of a lifetime Lily embarks on. She decides to take Rosaleen to Tiburon, SC in search of her mother's past, as well as learning a great deal about herself. Once in Tiburon a series of very unpredictable and amusing events take place. We meet many different characters including the important bee-keeping Calendar Sisters, who become Lily's other family, and with them the important life lessons they teach us, as well as a few tips on handling bees. Because of a little bit of fate in this mysterious town we see dreams, whether they be good or bad, can really come true.
This story has all the elements needed to make a book enjoyable to all different types of readers. It at often times is very amusing, intellectual, unpredictable, as well as deeply emotional. I immediately fell in love with Lily and saw her unravel as a character into a young girl I felt connected to. I felt as though I was with her bored on the peach farm, running away with Rosaleen, falling in love for the first time, and learning that just because she doesn't have her real mother here on Earth didn't mean she didn't have tons of motherly love around her. I at first was hesitant to read this book, but instantly fell in love with how well portrayed this story is, and it proves how deeply touching good literature can be. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story to fall in love with, and along the way looking to learn some important life lessons many of us take for granted daily.
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Summary: Sentimental Dribble
Review: Reading the reviews, I thought that this would be a good book... However, this book is badly written, too sentimental and tries to salvage itself by using copious descriptions of EVERYTHING. There are too many contradictions in the text, with insights not generally connected to 14 year old girls. "Once in a house on fire" by Andrea Ashworth is a MUCH better choice.
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