SYNOPSIS The Secret Life of Bees is the story of Lily Owens, a girl who has shaped her life around one devastating memory—the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Besides her harsh and unyielding father, Lily’s only real companion is Rosaleen, a tender, but fierce-hearted black woman who cooks, cleans and acts as her "stand-in mother."
Set in 1964 in South Carolina, a place and time of seething racial divides, violence explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten. Lily is desperate, not only to save Rosaleen, but to flee from a life she can no longer endure. Calling upon her colorful wits and youthful daring, she breaks Rosaleen out of jail and the two escape, into what quickly becomes Lily’s quest for the truth about her mother’s life.
They are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters, May, June, and August, and Lily is consumed by their secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Lily’s journey is one of painful secrets and shattering betrayals but that ultimately helps her find the thing her heart longs for most.
MY VIEW
This book was recommended to me many many moons ago by a very good friend and I did buy it but, unfortunately it sat on my shelf for so long I am always dubious about books that are so highly raved about even though I value my friends opinion - I'm sure she won't mind me saying that! And although we don't always love the same books I have to say this was brilliant!
Lily seems such a sweet girl and I so felt for her at the way her father treated her. She is unloved and has been living with the guilt of accidentally killing her mother when she was four years old. The book begins when Lily turns fourteen.
This book covers a lot of issues most notably racial issues, I'm not sure where this book sits genre-wise, its definitely not a chick lit but, to be honest it doesn't really matter this is a realr tear jerker in every sense of the word.
I'm happy to see this book has been made into a film although films are never as good as books but, nonetheless I will definitely be going to see it.
Unbelievablty this book was the authors first (I believe it was, feel free to correct me if I am wrong) and after reading this, The Mermaid Chair has moved way up on my TBR list.
3 comments:
I really liked this book when I read it a couple years ago. I haven't seen the movie yet, though.
Do you do reading challenges, Clare? Because there is the Once Upon a Time Challenge starting tomorrow and I think it is something that you would really enjoy: www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com
Hi Kailana
I have only done a couple but, would love to do more so will check that on e out, thanks for the link x
Hi Clare, I loved this book as you know hehe. One of my all time favs.
I did hear the Mermaid Chair wasn't as good, but I have not read it myself, so I don't know?
Btw I have just nominated you to receive the “When Life Gives You Lemons” blog award, on my other blog http://margotreehugger.blogspot.com/
xXx
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