The Secret Life of Bees

Book Review by Jane
I enjoyed this book. I found it on the library’s web site. I called for it from the library some time ago, so it must be very popular. It is a well-written book and has the elements that make a story ring true. Lily is a 14-year-old girl who runs away with her black housekeeper to a beekeeping household. She learns the trade while she is there, as well as some painful things about her mother who was accidentally shot. The story also deals with the pain of racism still present in the 1960’s. I think this book would be great for young people today to get an idea of how much the world has changed, even though things need to continue to get better. I think that sometimes the kids hear about how bad things are now, when in reality, some things have improved. The kids are a big part of making things better yet, and knowing history helps. I think fiction can tell the truth at times.

There was one part I thought was thrown into the book without a good solid foundation in the story. Lily was attacked in the past by some boys, which did not add to the story at all. The incident was bad enough to give her nightmares for a year, yet, it had not been previously mentioned. I wondered where her father was during the incident. He could have done something about it—or not. It could have also been shown as a reason for some of her troubles with him. Her father was the antagonist in the story.

However, I think I am just being critical because I am used to finding things that I do not like in stories. On the enjoyment scale, this book ranks high, and that is what matters. It is charming how Ms. Kidd ends the book. I really enjoyed this story, and I have her next book, The Mermaid Chair, on order at the library.

Jane.