Lily Owens is growing up in South Carolina in the mid-1960s, raised by her cruel father but cared for by Rosaleen, her African-American nanny. When Rosaleen tries to vote and is beaten for her trouble, she and Lily head for the town of Tiburon, a place with ties to Lily's dead mother, where they live with a local beekeeper, and where Lily learns valuable truths about her mother and herself. The story is supplemented by a great deal of information about bees, which is fascinating in itself.
After her "stand-in mother," a bold black woman named Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, Lily Owens, whose life has been defined by the tragic death of her mother, joins Rosaleen on a journey to Tiburon, South Carolina, where they are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters who show them the true meaning of love and family. Reprint.
After her "stand-in mother," a bold black woman named Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, Lily Owens, whose life has been defined by the tragic death of her mother, joins Rosaleen on a journey to Tiburon, South Carolina, where they are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters who show them the true meaning of love and family. Reprint.
Review 1:
"[W]ell-intentioned, big-hearted, and sometimes as syrupy-sweet as the honey for which the industrious insects in the title are known. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but be warned....The good guys are flawless in this morality tale, the villains are wholly without decency....Nevertheless, despite its occasionally ham-handed symbolism, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES can be rather touching."
01/13/2002
Review 2:
"A wonderfully written debut that rather scants its subject of loss and discovery...in favor of a feminist fable celebrating the company of women....Despite some dark moments, more honey than vinegar."
10/15/2001
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