"The Secret Life of Bees" (book review)

...by Sue Monk Kidd, Viking Penguin, 2001.

This book tells the story of Lily, a 14 year old girl who runs away from "home" in Sylvan, South Carolina, to Tiburon, South Carolina in 1964.

She is a girl with a terrible secret she has been keeping to herself since the age of 4, and the journey of significance in the book is her internal journey from fear and guilt and torment towards a place of courage, hope and peace.

For me this was one of the remarkable features of the storytelling.

I have already mentioned the movie, which was impressive in itself, and effectively captures the mood and message of the book.

In the book we are brought into Lily's inner sufferings and consequent release in a powerful way.

It is as if, in the course of the plot, Lily speaks from an increasingly spiritually and emotionally mature perspective.

This is not carried out with apparent labour, but happens most naturally.

From early on the character of Lily, who tells the story (1st person singular) draws us into her world and her secrets, and of course her humour.

Serious issues are tackled - the civil rights movement and the racist backlash, physical and emotional abuse, healing from damaged lives, forgiveness, faith/religion and coming of age...but are tackled with lightness/delicacy of approach.

For me one of the poignant moments was Lily describing her first romantic feelings for Zach, not through a blow by blow account of those feelings, but rather through describing her physical disorientation.

The book is suitable for readers of all ages, though I guess 12 years would be a minimum age for the readers being able to "get it" - the storytelling is simple, characterful and warm.

What do the bees have to do with it?

Read the book and draw your own conclusions!

Gerald.