Kidd’s novel, The Secret Life of Bees, tells the story of Lily Melissa Owens, an abused and abandoned young girl from South Carolina. Lily’s quest to discover more about the mother she lost as a child leads her to a unique refuge, the bright pink home of an African-American beekeeper named August. Lily’s time spent with August and her two sisters, June and May, challenges the prejudice that pervades southern society of 1964.
Kidd’s story is rich in imagery and southern charm. It is highly feminist in nature. The theme of the divine maternal pervades the text. August tells Lily that Mary, the divine mother, is in everything around them. This subtle new age pantheism left me scratching my head a little, but it is not incredibly surprising considering the author’s academic study of divine female imagery throughout history.
The story does deal with some pretty heavy issues including suicide, homicide, abandonment, abuse, and racism. These struggles are counter-balanced with an unparalleled display of acceptance and a loving bond that reaches beyond social expectations.
Overall, I found the story to be interesting and the book well-written. Kidd does a good job of showing the “messiness” of life. The character of Lily, although flawed, is very sympathetic and I found myself wanting things to go well for her. I also enjoyed the inclusion of bee facts at the beginning of each chapter that paralled the events that would take place.
Age Recommendation: 14+ (due to subject matter and language)
Rating: 7.0 out of 10.0
Reviewed by: Sarah Brooks
Quixoticirony 
quixoticirony said,
25 December 2008 at 11:04 pm
Ack! I still need to read this one. Awesome review, as always. 😉
Meagan