The multi-million bestselling novel about a young girl’s journey towards healing and the transforming power of love, from the award-winning author of The Invention of Wings and The Book of Longings Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s … mother was killed. When Lily’s fierce-hearted black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina–a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sister, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.
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Rarely does a book/story touch my soul. This one did. Hitting on family tragedy and drama, turbulent race relations, and finding one’s self with the help of virtual strangers, this book has it all. Wonderful, wonderful read.
Sue Monk Kidd has changed my life every time I have opened her pages. This book especially has taught me how to deal with the unfortunate times in life by just sending my love into the space. I crawled into this book and let it transform me. That’s the best way to read a book in my opinion.
Its been quite a while since I read this book, but I highly recommend it to all readers. It got me so involved that I couldn’t wait to finish it but hated that I was done!!!!!
Hands down, one of the best books that I have ever read! I didn’t want it to end, and when it did, I held the book to my heart! This book is warm and inspiring, with absolutely unforgettable characters. It proves yet again, the tenacity of the human spirit. And who knew bees were so fascinating?
I thought this was going to be a chick book but I found myself really getting into the characters.
I believe this is the only book I have read by Sue Monk Kidd – and I see why she is so well-respected.
An incredibly well-written, eye-opening read about a little white girl who essentially is raised, at least in all ways that matter, by black sisters, in a time where the colors did not mix; 1964.
The bee-keeping sisters give the little girl love, hope, a reason to dream, and people to call family. She learns about faith through a Black Madonna and what being an honorable person is about.
This book should be a must-read for all, it’s filled with reasons why we should not see people for their color but their inner self. If I were a teacher, I would make this required reading.
So well done, Ms. Kidd.
Grieving over the loss of her mother and the relentless abuse of her father, Lily goes in search of clues about her mother, hoping to find answers in a place she thinks her mother may have been connected with. During her quest, she finds herself having to examine her attitudes about interracial relationships. She learns about beekeeping and the black Madonna, both bodies of knowledge that contribute to her understanding of key roles that females play in the social order.
This book was inspirational and thought provoking.
A great read.
Beautiful and brave
I read this book years ago and it’s one of my all time favorites.
Wonderful
It was a little confusing if you stop in the wrong spot, you have to go back and see what you missed then you could get back on track other wise it was kinda sad to know how sad they were.
One of my all time favorite books. I should read it again soon.
I did not want this book to end. I fell in love with all the characters and wanted them to stay in my life.
Outstanding read.
Read a few years ago and liked very much.
I loved this book so much that I’ve hung on to it for years knowing I will read it again. Great author!
unremarkable
A slice out of time. Read this as a book club selection and it engendered much interesting discussion.