Rating: 
Summary: Something Missing
Review: I purchased this book with much anticipation, particularly because of the author's use of the Black Madonna. I had read many reviews that were all favorable, including most of the reviews here. I also went to the author's website and read of her interest in spirituality and mysticism. For me, however, the language of the book was dry and lacking in originality. I could not connect with any of the characters, especially Lily, the main character. Although I finished the book, it was a real challenge. I was expecting something with more depth and a much richer grounding in spirituality. I plan to look into the author's autobiographical writings on her spiritual journey. I hope to find something on a deeper scale there. I will still give the novel 3 stars for incorporating the Black Madonna, an aspect of the Virgin Mary not found enough in literary works, into the story. This element does provide a unique aspect to the work, although the characters and language are missing something.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Engrossing Novel-Loved the Characters!
Review: This was a very good novel and my heart went out to Lily many times.Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her tyrannical father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating memory of when her mother was killed. Lily was four years old then. Her companion was the housekeeper, Rosaleen, who was black. She acted as Lily's 'stand-in,' mom. One day when Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina-a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother. An eccentric trio of black sisters named May, June, and August take the two in. Lily calls them the calendar sisters, and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey. This book is hard to put down, and I read it almost straight through.
Rating: 
Summary: A little too predictable...
Review: I felt this book was too predictable and there were too many 'themes' - racism, religion, feminism, traumatic childhood, romance...the list goes on. It seems as if it's trying too hard. That said, the interactions between the characters was nice, I'll admit, but not nice enough for me to tell a friend to spend a day reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Honey of a Tale
Review: The richness of women's stories set in the South propagate the legendary strength of Queen Bees of all races, in nature and in the fairer sex. Lily Owen's plight, a cruel, unfeeling peach- raising father, and the mystery of a long absent mother drive her to her fated discovery of an exceptionally powerful set of characters with a capital C, the women of the Black Madonna honey-making business. The mixing of the races, black and white, with the down-trodden blacks nurturing and uplifting the destitute whites is a classic story of good versus evil on a cultural level so well understood by those who really lived in the South, even in more recent times. Then mix in the voting rights issues and the standard horrors of white supremacy and violence against blacks and you have the suitable level of suspense that makes one keep reading. Kidd's characters are reminiscent of the Melinda Haynes' characters in Mother of Pearl, weirdly wonderful, a true taste of honey. There is a lot to learn as one joins in Lily's adventure as a seeker of her own identity and as a honey collector and processor. The analogy of the two are perfect in this journey to self-discovery plot.
Rating:
Summary: amazing first novel
Review: The Secret Life of Bees has it all: Lily, an emotionally abused, motherless child, a strong proud black woman who cares for her, a mystery: the circumstances surrounding Lily's mother death, an eccentric trio of black sisters who take her in, a budding romance plus the 1960's Civil Rights movement as a backdrop.
Sue Monk Kidd's scrumptious Southern writing style easily captures Lily's emotional rollercoaster in this wonderful coming of age novel. Not only does she capture Lily's search for who she is, and what life is about, but she has done so in language that is both poetic and clear. In addition she has drawn strong, admirable women in June, May and Rosaleen ( I see an Oprah movie coming on) the three women who take Lily and Rosaleen in when they are "on the lam." In addition to sharing a summer with these amazing women and learning what it truly means to have a mother, the reader learns a great deal about bee keeping as well.
Each chapter starts with a quote from some guide to bees. The opening chapter begins with this quote:
"The queen, for her part,is the unifying force of the community.....the workers very quickly sense her absence"
So it is for Lily. Her mother is with her always by her absence and this is the summer Lily learns the truth about her mother, discovers herself, learns the meaning of forgiveness and finds herself with more loving mothers "than any eight girls off the street".
An altogether satisfying and heartwarming read.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for women of all ages!
Review: Characters you fall in love, laugh and cry with ...
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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!
Rating:
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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