Rating: 
Summary: Bee hives as model communities for life's lessons.
Review: Lily Owens is an orphan, at least by her own telling. In reality she is a spunky kid, all of 14 years old'just a nuisance to her father'and also a perpetrator in the escape of a jailbird. The jailbird is Rosaleen, the only woman who has shown her any caring and nurturing since the death of her own mother.Lily has an enormous burden to shoulder. Not only did she assist Rosaleen to escape what probably would have been her own murder by town racists who didn't want to see blacks as registered voters, but she carries a greater burden'that of being the accused killer of her own mother. T. Ray, not called 'daddy' because he doesn't act like one according to Lily, doesn't mind adding to Lily's pain by reminding her that Deborah Owens, his wife, was in the process of abandoning both of them on the day she was killed by a gun that was dropped to the floor'and picked up by a tiny Lily who only remembers the terrible sound that followed! With nowhere to go Lily and Rosaleen head for Tiburon, South Carolina. Why? Because all Lily has as mementos of her mother are a picture of the 'Black Madonna' pasted to a piece of wood with the words 'Tiburon, South Carolina written on the back and a pair of gloves belonging to Deborah Owens. The turbulence and violence of the Civil Rights movement are an important and re-occurring part of the background tapestry in the story but don't often take front stage. Of greater importance is the rich cast of characters Lily encounters in Tiburon. After hitchiking to South Carolina, Lily finds the 'Black Madonna' is in actuality a mysterious label on a local store's ample supply of 'Black Madonna Honey''a product of a local beekeeper, August Boatwright. August is one of three sisters, including May and June (April's tragic story is briefly told), a close-knit family devoted to learning, music and beekeeping. Lily considers herself a talented liar and feels she has totally fooled the Boatwright sisters with her exquisitely concocted story about being an orphan on her way to an aunt'and Rosaleen is her nanny. Lily and Rosaleen's original stay of a few days turns into weeks as the wise and sagacious August knows more than she lets on. Meanwhile she teaches her beekeeping trade to Lily. All the lessons of keeping hives, of bee behaviour, of bee communities bear striking resemblance to Lily's own life. August was a teacher by trade and continues her teaching with Lily! Among the rich characters are the members of the 'Mary Sisterhood' that revolves about 'Our Lady of Chains', a wooden statue that once was once a ship's figurehead. Her presence takes on mythical and fascinating proportions'all blended in with Mary, the Mother of God. More teachable moments for Lily. Lily's aching for her mother, for more about her past, and the burning question as to whether Deborah was abandoning a little child are eventually assuaged. To tell more is to spoil the story. It is a charming, touching, well told story by a prominent writer who was previously known for her religious (non-fiction) based books. As an aside, it is equally interesting to read her 'Dissident Daughter' (non-fiction) to see how females take center stage in ''..Bees' as a result of Kidd's own personal quest to fathom the reasoning behind traditional religions' portrayal and mis-portrayal of women. Finally, for those who are intrigued by the 'Black Madonna' there is more fascinating history on the author's website.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong and Beautiful Women
Review: Oh, how I loved the women portrayed in this book. First there's the charming character of Lily, who though she has suffered an abusive life for most of her 14 years, refuses to be a victim. She removes herself from a damaging environment, and in doing so releases her friend Rosleen from a damaging environment of another nature. I loved Rosleen's sassy nature and the support she provides for Lily. It is her dilemma that initially allows the young girl to escape and find out who she really is. The Boatwright sisters are captivating. Strong and sensible August helps remove Lily from the vise of the terrible T. Ray by filling her with strength and wisdom. June at first seems angry and unapproachable, but as we learn later it is when she finally allows herself to give her heart away that it has only been fear that has kept her from being loved. I fell in love with the fragile May who takes everyone else's suffering to heart. What a kind and gentle soul she is, and it's a pleasure to watch Lily benefit from that gentleness when she first arrives at the Boatwright home.
Thank you Ms. Kidd for these beautiful characters and the exquisite story you've created around them.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT STORY - GREAT VOICE
Review: This review is of the audio version. The best part about this version is the voice of the reader Jenna Lamia. This book was a gift to my wife. I had not planned to listen to it but I put tape one in just to see how it started and I was immediately captivated by the voice of the reader. I can't imagine reading this book. I think listening to it is the best way to go. The characters were wonderful and the story involving. I have one quibble with the plot. As a black person it seamed to me that the black people in the story caused a lot of their own problems. I am not discounting the racism prevalent in the white villains but some of the actions of the black characters that caused them problems were not realistic. But that aside once they got in trouble the characters actions and personalities drove the story along nicely. I highly recommend this audio version. It is one of the best 'reads' by an audio reader I have heard.
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Summary: One Of My All Time Favorites
Review: This is the first book I have read that has caused me to finish the last page and turn back to the very beginning to read it all over again. Simply put, I loved this book! The author writes with such vivid description that the words melt off of the page and become a movie for your mind. I loved the characters, Lily, Rosaleen, August, June and May. Now that I have finished the book, I find myslf wondering what they have been up to since I last closed the book. Buy this book!!! You will not be disappointed!!!
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Summary: Mother's Love
Review: This book caught my attention early on and kept it right through to the end which, I must confess, became somewhat predictable the closer I got to the end. What kept this story "true" for me was the fact that despite Lily's mistreatment by her father, she held on to the belief that he would eventually miss her, want her back, treat her well, etc. Her hopes and dreams about both her mother and father ring true for a young girl in such circumstances. What I especially liked were the little bits and pieces of wisdom that Lily learned after being taken in, sheltered and nurtured by the 3 calendar sisters. One of my main reservations about the book is the familiar theme of girls without mothers. This type of story has quite a history--beginning with fairy tales up through Nancy Drew and on up to the present. It's an interesting sociological/psychological subject, which is maybe why it is a situation so often used in fiction, especially what is called, women's fiction.
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Summary: The Secret Life of Bees
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a
very long time. Frankly, I had trouble putting it
down. Have ordered a copy to mail to my daughter,
who lives in a Northwestern state but is a Southern
girl at heart, & think she will find it as fasci-
nating as I did.
Have read Sue Monk Kidd's writings in GuidePost for
years. If there is an "Author of the Year" award,
it most definately should go to Ms. Kidd. cb
Rating:
Summary: Did Not Want It To End!
Review: I was hooked. One of the best books I have ever read. Interesting characters just lure you into the story. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Huck and Jim Redux
Review: I found Sue Monk Kidd's portrayal of Lily and Rosaleen's journey wonderfully reminiscent of Huck and Jim's escape from their former troubled lives. I would say to those who find the book too sweet-- Not so. This is a fantastical trip back to love which has been stolen from Rosaleen and Lily both. Enjoy the bigger than life characters for the archetypes they are in this eternal story retold.
Rating:
Summary: Bee-u-tiful book!
Review: I could not put it down!n Lily, Rosaleen, and the Calendar sisters create a rich and unique relationship, removing barriers of place, time, race, or reason. Collectively, my book club loved this book and we could not stop talking about the events that unfolded, the comraderie that was developed for the young Lily, and the basic human tenets that bond all women; joy, sorrow, love and kindness!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book!
Review: This one of the best books I have read in a long time! It is a timeless and beautiful story. I could not put it down and finished the book in 24 hours. I absolutely loved the book! Sue Monk Kidd is a beautiful writer with amazing metaphors and images. I would suggest this book to anyone.
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