Sign in with Facebook
Kerry's Reviews > The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees
by
by
Okay, hear me out. This is SO not the kind of book I normally read. It's the kind of book my mother reads. You know the type I'm talking about: "Reviving Ophelia", "Not Without My Daughter"...mother-y books. It was, in fact, my mother who demanded I read this book, because she read it in her book club. DOUBLE red flag. That is when I normally drop the book and run as fast as possible away from her, screaming and flailing my arms. But when she gave me this book I happened to have a lot of time on my hands, so I determined to read it just to humor her, and braced myself for a sickeningly bittersweet learn-about-yourself Ya Ya Sisterhood fiasco.
And really, it kind of was. But in a cool way. And I liked it. Don't get me wrong, it is definitely chock-full of estrogen-soaked coming of age wisdom, complete with a veritable orgy scene of feminine self-discovery in which a roomful of goddess-worshipping gospel earth mothers smear honey onto a wooden likeness of the Virgin Mary.
Admit it, you're kind of interested. It's just good. Totally not for everyone, but it's good, and it's stayed with me all this time. It's kind of a period piece, too, and I guessed what I loved about it is that it's so not done. It really is pretty fresh and in my opnion, worthwhile.
And really, it kind of was. But in a cool way. And I liked it. Don't get me wrong, it is definitely chock-full of estrogen-soaked coming of age wisdom, complete with a veritable orgy scene of feminine self-discovery in which a roomful of goddess-worshipping gospel earth mothers smear honey onto a wooden likeness of the Virgin Mary.
Admit it, you're kind of interested. It's just good. Totally not for everyone, but it's good, and it's stayed with me all this time. It's kind of a period piece, too, and I guessed what I loved about it is that it's so not done. It really is pretty fresh and in my opnion, worthwhile.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Secret Life of Bees.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2003
–
Finished Reading
March 8, 2007
– Shelved
Comments Showing 1-50 of 60 (60 new)
message 1:
by
Rae
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 08:53PM)
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Mar 14, 2007 06:22PM
All right fine- I will read it.
reply
|
flag
YAY! But don't blame me if you hate it, Walker!
I read your review and howled. However, I was probably born in the same decade as your mom, and she sounds cool too. Tell her to listen (or read) to The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. The audio features several voices and it is wonderfully done
Ha ha Excellent review Kerry. Would like to read some more of your reviews after that. I'm one of those probably-in-your-Mother's-age-range so it was particularly funny to me. I haven't read it yet so I'm trying to figure out if I want to take the time or not.
Carol Ann wrote: "I read your review and howled. However, I was probably born in the same decade as your mom, and she sounds cool too. Tell her to listen (or read) to The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. The audio feature..."Carol Ann-My friend loved The Help. Did you read the book and listen to the audio? Is the audio the complete book?
THE BEST REVIEW EVER! You should blog seriously.
Carol Ann and Mary:For Christmas last year my mom was so excited to give me her latest fave book club book. Yep! The Help.
The first line of your review said it all! Thanks!
I enjoyed your review. Here is my question. My sister-in-law is currently reading this book and I am trying to find something other than religion to talk about with her. Do you think this book would be interesting to a 27 year old male who enjoys historical fictions and psychology text books. I was thinking it may help me also to engage with my 12 year old god-daughter. What do you think?
Kerry, I had the same reaction when, as a teen, my mom INSISTED that I would love Gone With the Wind! It remains one of my favorites to this day! But there's a reason that books become best-sellers... They are able to appeal to an audience that crosses the lines of age, race, gender and genre. Only when you are able to cross these lines in the books you like can you truly call yourself a "reader".
I'm not sure about the book, but I have seen the movie and I liked it..
This is probably my favorite book review ever.
I don't think I would like the book but your teview was awesome=!! maybe you should write a book about your Mom
Your description of the scene where they wash the black Madonna seriously made me laugh out loud! I love it!
You should give "Not Without My Daughter" a chance. That just happens to be one of my favorite books! :)
I love your style of reviewing a book. I bought this book because it was on sale and recommended. I will be hosting out book club discussion on the book in December. After reading your review I am now more interested in the book than I was before. :)
I read it, I liked it. I am "her mother's age!" I think it's funny that all of these reviews are about the first reviewer!
I loved this book- not my normal read and have looked into a bee class at my local community college! I just found this book for someReason really resonating with me when I thought not my book....
Great review. I might even be tempted to read it.
I loved your review and now I want to read this book sometime in the future. I haven't read "the help" but I definitely loved the movie.
You've swayed me, was on the fence about this one but I'll give it a try.
I'm struggling to finish this one
Great review. Like a few others here I am guessing I may be in your mothers age bracket and I has made me rethink my enthusiast sharing of "must reads" with my daughter and daughter in law. I am inspired to read it too, but maybe a library borrow rather than a purchase. Thanks
made me think.
I'm not a chick. Can I still read this book and enjoy it?
I have bought this book just on the cover alone but that was about a year ago and it has been sitting on my bookshelf but your review is fabulous and makes me want to read it when work finishes for Xmas.
Your writing is really good..I would love to read more reviews from you!! Gonna read this book now :)
I read this in a day - about six hours. A really good read and though it would probably be more popular amongst ladies than men I would recommend it. It's quite wittily written and moving in some parts. The story is quite simple, and the setting (1964 in America's south) is an interesting backdrop.
Elena...it’s been awhile so not sure if you’ve read the Help by now, but I just finished it, and it was excellent!! I did listen to the audiobook on audible, however, so depending on your preferences that can contribute :) hope you liked both books.
I agree totally with this statement I don’t normally read this type of book but with the different shifts and the relatable ness of the book it makes me more interested and makes me want to engage in the book more.
Spoilers ahead//I relate to your initial thought about the book. When I first read the the preview, I thought to myself, "Oh, a book about mother-daughter empowerment."It gave a powerful reflection on the significance of women's relationships with one another. The main character, Lily, witnessed the death of her mother, at a very young age. So she grew up motherless but was raised by her Rosaleen, an African American women, who Lily absolutely adores. Things take a turn when Rosaleen gets arrested. Lily breaks Rosaleen out and they leave town. This played a crucial role in getting Lily to the house of the Boatwright sisters. There, she learns that women supporting one another, is what makes them such a strong bunch. Through the examples, the women in the Boatwright community set, Lily becomes more empowered as a women. She gets an insight on how strong bonds, are a focal point, in getting through the battles that the world throws at you.
A friend my mother's age (I'm in my seventies) read it for her book group and was, I think, in two minds about it. Your review intrigued me at first and made me want to give it a go; the end of your review turned me off. Not that it was negative but that there are so many more books I really do wsnt to read. Thanks for your words anyway.
How apropos that, like you, it was recommended to me by a friend where normally I would tend to write down the book name & author, and promptly toss the note in the circular file when I was out of sight. Then, it was mentioned to me offhand by a another friend, whom most people think reads less heavy tomes, but who has quietly hands me a book at get togethers (i.e. The Poisonwood Bible) and says simply, “This one will change you”. So like you, I had to at least try, and boy was it worth it! I highly recommend this to men & women, both old & young.
I’ve seen the movie, but like I find most of the time, the book was so much better!
I am reading it now and loving it, I read your review laughing as it would be exactly what my daughter would say 🤣
Currently trying it and then read your review and made me determined to finish it . Thank you for the amusing review. I just can imagine your mom really insisting that you read the book 😄
"veritable orgy scene of feminine self-discovery" - this is the best line in a review I've probably read ever.
Loved the review!! 😂😂 Kerry you should start writing a book yourself!
You convinced me. I'm reading it now and so far excellent.
i was recommended this book by my grandmother who also, funnily enough, read it in her book club - like you said, big red flag. BUT it has good reviews so i thought i’d give it a go and i’m liking it so far!
I like your review, I agree, “it was just good” - gave it 3 stars
Ok, good review. But, if I hated The Help, should I read this book? (REALLY, really hated it, quit book club hated it)
