Have you read this book (or saw the movie)? If so, what do you recall liking about this story?
This book has been sitting on my shelf for several years. My sister loaned it to me because she’d said it was an awesome novel. Of course, I’ve heard a lot about this book over the years, and I know a movie was made starring Queen Latifah. I plan on watching the movie and compare it to the book for one of my Saturday Matinee blog entries.
Lily lives in the south with her mean, unlovable, abusive father. Living on her dad’s peach orchard proves a bane existence. She’s an outcast at school and her only friend is Rosaleen, her father’s African-American housekeeper. Lily wonders about her mother. Her mother died when she was four, and she has vague memories about her mother’s sudden death – was she the cause of her mother dying?
Due to a racially tense incident, Rosaleen gets arrested and beaten. Lily is able to help Rosaleen escape from jail. Fearful for Rosaleen and herself, Lily sets foot to Tiberon, a town where she believes her mother used to live.
With images of a Black Madonna and a weird succession of events, Rosaleen and Lily are taken in by three beekeeping sisters (named August, June and May) who live in a quirky pink house.
This book was an excellent story. I really loved how you learned about beekeeping. Also, as you get to know the beekeeping sisters, you find out about their struggling relationships and personalities. This book takes place in the South during the times of racial tension – during a time where it would appear strange that a white girl would live with a family of black women.
I especially enjoyed reading about the sisters. Each has a side to them that adds a good amount of momentum to the story. August is the oldest, the leader of their group. May has serious emotional problems which she has trouble controlling. June has been heartbroken once, so she refuses to marry again. June resents Lily’s invasion into their home.
Most of all, this story is poignant because of Lily, who is determined to find the truth about her mother. What really happened to her?
One thing about this novel that kinda bugged me a bit was how the sisters and Lily use a Black Madonna image to worship. The sisters have a “church-like” service and it includes praying to this Black Mary. I guess this bothered me a bit because I’ve never been one to use a token/idol to pray. I prefer praying directly to Jesus himself. The sisters had a historical story about how the Black Madonna/Mary had come into their possession.
This book reminded me of the novel, The Help. One reason is because the author is white, yet a lot of the characters are black. Another reason this book reminded me about The Help is because it takes place during the racially-tense days of the south. I could imagine if you enjoyed The Help, then you’d enjoy The Secret Life of Bees.
Have you read this book (or saw the movie)? If so, what do you recall liking about this story?
