In 1964, black women weren’t allowed to talk back to white me. They weren’t allowed to run businesses. They weren’t allowed to touch a white person. But Lily always thought of Rosaleen as something other than a black woman. Rosaleen was her friend, a mentor, and a stand-in mother. When Rosaleen is arrested in their Jim Crow town and Lily’s father puts her under strict guidelines, Lily makes a plan to break them both free and head to a nearby town with a mysterious link to her mother’s past. What they find when they arrive will surprise everyone.
The Secret Life of Bees is the award-winning 2001 novel from Sue Monk Kidd that inspired the 2008 movie of the same name. Following a young girl, her caretaker, and a trio of sisters, the author delivers a tale of female unity and strength, entrepreneurship, and Gullah traditions so common to the coastal Carolina area. This is a coming-of-age story about finding your strength and the family you choose for yourself.
I give The Secret Life of Bees 4 out of 5 stars. This story tugged at my heart for many reasons, including the way this little girl grew up in such a horrible home and community. True to the author’s style, every scene has vivid imagery and beautiful dialogue. I did have a hard time connecting to some of the supporting characters, but that could have been caused by the difference in time eras. I did enjoy this book, but not as much as some of the other works from this author.
With themes of racism, violence against women, and police brutality, this may not be the best choice for some readers. I would also caution anyone who may be triggered by domestic violence or depression. With that said, this is a slightly darker yet still inspired read that would be a great girlfriend read along or book club selection.
I chose The Secret Life of Bees for the US States Reading Challenge prompt “South Carolina”. While born in Georgia not far from where I live, many of Sue Monk Kidd’s novels are set in South Carolina. I also found it interesting to read this novel and the Gullah traditions mixed with Catholic practices – something that happened frequently in the South as minority communities were urged to take on the religious beliefs of the majority. Do you have a favorite Sue Monk Kidd book? Mine has to be The Invention of Wings!
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- Current print book: Christmas With the Queen, Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
- Current audio book: A Holly Jolly Diwali, Sonya Lalli
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