The Secret Life of Bees

By Sue Monk Kidd

The story is centred around a young girl, Lily, from the American South but includes an array of strong, interesting characters. Lily believes that she killed her mother at age 4 and lives with a cold, harsh father and a black servant called Rosaleen. Racial tension is high and events cause Lily aged 14 and Rosaleen to run away. I loved the characters, the setting and the combination of personal and political events. There is plenty of action but depth also - many strands and enough to hold interest throughout.
Recommended *****

The book is set in South Carolina in the early 1960s when President Johnson has announced the extension of civil rights. The main characters are Lily a teenage white girl who lives with her widowed father on a peach farm and Rosaleen a black employee of her father. Things began to change when Rosaleen decides to register to vote. Forced to flee they head for a place called Tiburon which Lily knows about from items left by her mother. They are taken in by three sisters. Lily and the others discover many things about themselves during that summer. The story covers many things- adolescence, growing up, social and political change and bee keeping. I liked the style of writing- the author handled and intertwined complex topics well and with skill. A good read.
Recommended ****

A young girl grows up believing she is responsible for the death of her mother, With her friend and servant she becomes involved in a racial altercation which sends them into the bosom of a family of sisters. The author then gives us a wonderful story of sadness recrimination and most of all love and forgiveness. The racial discrimination that existed in the 1960s in the southern United States is brought to the fore graphically. Eventually the girl learns of her mother's connection to the sisters which leads her to the truth.
Recommended *****

It was a tonic to read. Goodness overcame racial prejudice. The characters who appeared later in the story showed great love and patience in their dealings with Lily
Recommended ****

All of the women in this story are strong, vulnerable, interesting and likeable. It's a humorous though sometimes tragic tale with a theologically flawed subplot, which is never the less reverent, and spiritual. I loved this book!
Recommended *****

I liked the storyline but it went on and on- a bit drawn out and although it was interesting to read about the process of honey making and bee keeping, I found it a bit too much
Recommended ***

It is a sentimental read but a pleasant on. What a relief from the usually sexual explicit vulgar world of the modern novel. For this reason as well as a good story I would recommend it
Recommended****