464 pages
English language
Published Nov. 7, 2002 by Thorndike Press.
Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. 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 fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love—a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.
This is an absolute amazing book. A wonderful story written with amazingly descriptive language. It borders on poetry at points. However, be aware that this coming-of-age story deals with childhood trauma including abandonment. It's a must read, but anyone that might be triggered, do so with fair warning. I found myself crying on multiple occasions with this book.
