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Jeffrey's Reviews > The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees
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I surveyed my class and 80% gave it two thumbs up: 5 stars. That's 28 out of 35 students. The rest of the class gave it an OK: 3 or 4 stars. So my giving it 5 stars has been backed by research into the general public's taste. ;=)
Now, I'm not much for spending time on fiction. I don't need entertainment, I need information. But as a story teller, occasional writing class instructor, I like to keep up with some of the new fiction.
Bees is pretty good. I don't get a sense of the forced or trite here like I do in a lot of fiction. In reading most fiction, I can almost hear the writer thinking. I guess it's because I write and my intimate knowledge of the craft allows me to see a lot before it comes. Kind of like an actor who you know is just acting. But Kidd's writing is like Will Smith in Ali or Jamie Fox in Ray. In Ali there is no Smith and in Ray there is no Fox. Art works best when it's done by the talented who tap into the moment so right, so purely it stops being art and becomes real. Bees is real.
Some readers on Goodreads and Amazon had trouble with such things as the bee quotes at the start of each chapter being a bit obvious, the religious theme (didn't state but I'm sure it has to do with the women eating cake as the body of Mary), the triteness of a coming of age story and some of the characterization (ie: stereotypical African / American women) and so forth, but I believe these are more personal problems than problems with the story. In the overall scheme of analysis, these issues were cosmetic, superficial at best. Most liked it: In my class. At Goodreads. On Amazon.
I find it humorous that many of the pseudo-reviewers / intellectuals (if I throw in some over priced words, I'm a big-time reviewer) love to sling review-speak but have no or little experience in hands-on experience: writing. Maybe it's writer-wanna-be frustration or other personal issues. There’s a lot to be said for freeing oneself of inhibiting characteristics / weaknesses and the success and release of open-mindedness. Nevertheless . . .
Bottom line, I was impressed and I've read a lot of stories and written many myself. I know the difficulties involved in making a story work, making is real, and connecting to readers. This book does all that and more. Highly recommended.
Now, I'm not much for spending time on fiction. I don't need entertainment, I need information. But as a story teller, occasional writing class instructor, I like to keep up with some of the new fiction.
Bees is pretty good. I don't get a sense of the forced or trite here like I do in a lot of fiction. In reading most fiction, I can almost hear the writer thinking. I guess it's because I write and my intimate knowledge of the craft allows me to see a lot before it comes. Kind of like an actor who you know is just acting. But Kidd's writing is like Will Smith in Ali or Jamie Fox in Ray. In Ali there is no Smith and in Ray there is no Fox. Art works best when it's done by the talented who tap into the moment so right, so purely it stops being art and becomes real. Bees is real.
Some readers on Goodreads and Amazon had trouble with such things as the bee quotes at the start of each chapter being a bit obvious, the religious theme (didn't state but I'm sure it has to do with the women eating cake as the body of Mary), the triteness of a coming of age story and some of the characterization (ie: stereotypical African / American women) and so forth, but I believe these are more personal problems than problems with the story. In the overall scheme of analysis, these issues were cosmetic, superficial at best. Most liked it: In my class. At Goodreads. On Amazon.
I find it humorous that many of the pseudo-reviewers / intellectuals (if I throw in some over priced words, I'm a big-time reviewer) love to sling review-speak but have no or little experience in hands-on experience: writing. Maybe it's writer-wanna-be frustration or other personal issues. There’s a lot to be said for freeing oneself of inhibiting characteristics / weaknesses and the success and release of open-mindedness. Nevertheless . . .
Bottom line, I was impressed and I've read a lot of stories and written many myself. I know the difficulties involved in making a story work, making is real, and connecting to readers. This book does all that and more. Highly recommended.
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Kendra
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 15, 2008 10:04PM
Thank you for calling out the pseudo-reviewers. I get so tired of the haughty pretentious nit-picking. You are absolutely correct that our opinion of each book we read is going to be shaped by our own "personal issues," life experience, our current state of mind, our intellect, and so on. Some of the comments I've read here are so ignorant. That ignorance is blaringly obvious in the pompous pontificating, like insecure people who over compensate by trying to sound like they know everything. I appreciated your educated comments and your review.
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Kendra,You're in my will. I love you. So great to see there's a few out there who aren't living a fake wannabe life. So sad for the wannabe's, aren'tgonnabe's, the neverwillbe's. Can't we all just be real? (that reminds me of a Dave Chappelle show where a woman who kept it real (basically being super self-righteous) ends up doing life in jail because she couldn't keep her small mindedness in check. I love Chappelle). Keep it real ;=)
What are some of your favorite novels? I'm always in the market for a good page turner. My life as a young mom is so busy that it takes a well written, captivating story to keep me interested. It's just not worth my time otherwise. I'm not into forcing myself to read a book, just for the sake of reading it. By the way, what type of class do you teach? You mentioned your students.
Kendra,I've taught English at various colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area for over eight years now. Something I don't do as much as I used to with my focus now being more on my business and promoting my writing.
Regarding books, I'm a big fan of Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, C.S. Lewis (just re-read Chronicles of Narnia--still holds up), and Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). I love quirky stuff. If you're looking for something that's fun, inspirational, and a page turner (according to those who've read it), you can try my book: Black Body Radiation and the Ultraviolet Catastrophe. At Amazon now! (Whoops! Sorry for the commercial). Let me know what you think.
Hey, You've got to promote yorself. If not you, who? Just keepin' it real! I'll check out your book!
I was reading the posts for this book and am always saddened by people who rip apart a book sometimes for the sake of simply being able to rip it apart. I wonder how some classics would hold up to their scrutiny. Sometimes, good writing can be lost without a story and vice versa. This particular book had a good story and great characters that any other problems diminished. And sometimes, abusive dads are just abusive. There's no reason or dimensions to them. They're just assholes. That's it. Anyway, I appreciated your post and your support to a good story.
I read ur review and i immediately know i will buy this book soon - keep writing ;)
Jody wrote: "I was reading the posts for this book and am always saddened by people who rip apart a book sometimes for the sake of simply being able to rip it apart. I wonder how some classics would hold up to ..." Hey Jody. So true. I love writing and music, so I'm on Youtube building my channel and collections of music. I see the same crap there. People who've never played an instrument, attempted to write a song never mind playing in front of people--selling their music--are just very judgmental and scathing in their remarks. Being an author, musician, and performer, first I know how hard it is to get your art out there. Second, even if you don't like it or don't see it worth your time, keep in mind that's someone's hard work, however much you don't like it. And people also don't realize how subjective art is. Some of the greatest song writers, authors, comics didn't get as far as some who are far inferior. Just not a whole lot of thinking going on out there, caring, kindness or manors, for that matter. Sad state of affairs.
You teach this at the university level? I was wondering. I teach middle school and I know it is probably too advanced for most seventh graders. But it would be a great novel to teach at some level. I was thinking high school, though. The "triteness" and such that people complain about makes for really good fodder in teaching a novel.
Sheri,Yes, I did teah it at the university level some time ago. I don't teach literature any more. Today I have moved into life / career coaching and teach a couple of classes that focus there, as well as marketing, project management, etc. Moved away from the literature all together.
