The Secret Life of Bees

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful, Moving Novel
Review: I absolutely loved this wonderful and poignant story by Sue Monk Kidd that shares the many wonderful qualities of another debut novel, Shade of the Maple, by Kirk Martin. They both employ rich character development and a wonderfully descriptive writing style (though his intriguing novel is set in New England). You will fall in love with the characters...and miss them!! Both novels are inspiring and hopeful stories about the timelessness of love. Two powerful, fresh voices. I can't wait to read their follow-up novels.

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Summary: A flawless performance of a wonderful story
Review: Having listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and as a reviewer for "Audiofile Magazine," I can honestly say that this is one of the best performances I have ever heard. Sue Monk Kidd's story is a wonderful tale of the coming of age of Lily, a young white girl in the South in 1964. Her mother died when she was 4(and she bears responsibility). After much confrontation, Lily runs away from home with Rosaleen, her black nanny. She ends up at the home of August and her family, who are black beekeepers/honey makers, where she learns about her mother, and comes of age. The book is marvelous, and Jenna Lamia's reading is so perfect that she is Lily. I strongly recommend this book, and feel that the unabridged CD is a better way to absorb it than traditional reading.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful!
Review: I read this book based on recommendations I found here. I'm so glad I did. This book is so wonderful. Sue Monk Kidd's descriptive writing is priceless. That's one reason I loved this book so much. I could hardly breathe as I finished reading this because I was so excited to find out what happened to everyone. I really hope there is a sequel but I don't think it could top this. I hope to read more of her work. Please do yourself a favor and pick up this book and read it slowly - savor each word - it's worth it!

Rating:
Summary: Melts into your heart
Review: This is a book that begs to be read in one sitting. I let my life buzz around me like the bees and read it cover to cover. I can't wait to share it with my book club and my fourteen year old daughter.

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Summary: Unforgetable characters!
Review: It's been a long time since I read a book that has stayed with me the way this one has. I cannot get the characters out of my mind, especially of course, Lily. I certainly hope there will be a sequel. This is a wonderful "coming of age" book. Sue Monk Kidd is an extraordinary writer!

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Summary: My New Favorite Book.
Review: Where has this book been? I loved it and every character in it. Lily is a terrific heroine with a black nanny sidekick. She is brave enough to escape an abusive father and confront him later. She is strong enough to begin a new life in a new town with new people of another color in an era when this is less than acceptable. What a wonderful story. It makes Oprah's choices read like Harlequins.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute delight!
Review: Although I am a voracious reader, I have never before felt the desire to write a review. However, I was so touched by "The Secret Life of Bees" that I felt compelled to add my impressions. This is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. There were numerous times when I was so taken by the language Sue Monk Kidd employs, that I had to re-read paragraphs just to absorb the beauty of her prose. She had crafted beautifully drawn characters and recreates a place in time exquisitely. "The Secret Life of Bees" brought forth the entire range of emotions in me, and it touched me in the most profound way. Usually when I finish a book I begin a new one immediately. I couldn't do that this time. I wanted to savor the feelings I was left me with. What a beautiful book!

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Summary: Listening is as Sweet as Reading It~
Review: The Secret Life of Bees is full of poetic prose. Having read the book and adored it, I eagerly purchased the audio version so I could enjoy this story a second time. Jenna Lamia, the narrator, captures the essence and spirit of this beautiful tale of southern fiction splendidly. Her gentle voice and southern accent are adorable and fit perfectly the voice of the main character, little Lily Owens. On the flee from a daunting father, Lily escapes with her black caretaker, Rosaleen and finds herself a part of life with the three calendar sisters, August, May & June. While serving as the apprentice beekeeper to August, Lily struggles to uncover secrets about her deceased mother, what lead her to this charming home of the calender sisters, and discovers some ugly truths about racial tensions in the south. Sue Monk Kidds first novel has earned a place as one of my favorite stories of all time. Jenna Lamia brings it to life as honey for the ears.

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Summary: Read in two days, couldn't put it down!
Review: I was hooked from page one. I hope there will be many more novels by Ms. Kidd.

Rating:
Summary: The Secret Life of a Short Story
Review: You might think Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life Of Bees was some boring technical manual about insects. You'd be two-thirds right; it IS about bees and it IS boring. It also includes a story about a little girl in the mid-sixties South running away from her abusive father and occasional references to the civil rights movement of the time. While Ms. Monk has fine command of the English language, the story is tissue-thin. The novel has the same pace, content, and entertainment value as the mint-julep fueled afternoon musings of a group of southern matriarchs. The book began its life as a short story. It should have ended its life there as well. If you don't have a lot of time to kill but feel you must read this, read the first 40 pages and the last 25. If you have time to kill, you could read the entire book. Or you could just visit your grandmother and listen to her drone on about the family for a few hours.