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?
Wow! Your blog is beautiful too, Cecelia.
Thanks, Hattie!
I read the book first and then saw the movie a few times. I like that she found out her Mom came back for her aftr all. In the book though, the house was portrayed as small, and in the movie it is Huge!
Wow, Saundra! Funny how they made the house huge in the movie! If time permits, I hope to watch the movie sometime this weekend. I haven’t seen it yet. I’m a little backwards when it comes to movies, I rarely watch them, but, I’m learning to correct that. You can learn boatloads of stuff to help with your writing by watching more movies! Plus, it’s fun! 🙂
Hi Cecilia:
I am so glad you got around to reading this beautiful novel. I can understand, that as a “Christian” you may have had some conflicts with the imagery of the Black Madonna and the “Women’s Spirituality” aspects of the book. I know some very fine women who are “Christian”/evangelicals, smart, very bright people who are not spouting scripture 24/7, but do have a profound connection with their New Testament Bible and their churches.
Unlike you, these women would have closed this book, after a few encounters with the “Black Madonna”, and the references to “Godess Worship/Spirituality, yes, African folklore aka Paganism. I am not going to condemn people for not reading works which make them uncomfortable. I have to admit, I was glad to know you do not close your mind off to material that might challenge some of your “Sisters”.
Recently, a close friend of mine & I engaged in conflict re our political views etc. I had sent her an article about the New Egyption Govt. wanting to destroy the pyramids! I thought, being a lover of Magick that she is, would have found this interesting, if not disturbing. Well, the article on the Pyramids was attached
to one of my conservative periodicals. She is a LIBERAL & A lover of New AGe SPIRTUALITY while I am siding with my homeland of Israel & supporting Christians United for Israel. I really love Pastor Hagee!
She told me that she prides herself on NEVER watching TV; her mind is so precious and she does not want “her psyche to be contaminated”. Oh, I could tell you Cecilia, I don’t think there is much room for her in my own elite system. I don’t like these Yoga Cults that are feeding people this crap, and I know she belongs to one of them. Right now, I really appreciate broad minded people who will at least know something about that which they reject.
Secret Lives of Bees is a treasure of a book, and I thank you for giving it the respectful review that you did.
Hi, Susanne
Thanks for commenting. Yes, if a book is well-written, I will usually read it until the end. I don’t let different spiritual beliefs stop me from finishing a great novel. I enjoyed this book very much. I haven’t had a chance to watch the movie yet, but, I hope to do that very soon.
Not sure what to say about your friend! All we can do is keep her bound in prayer.