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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
A Soon To Be Classic
Yes, the title of my review may seem to be much hyperbole, but I sincerely believe The Bees will earn it place beside beloved novels such as Watership Down and Charlotte's Web.
Based on the fascinating social behavior of honey bees, Laline Paull has created a vivid, compelling world where one's class is immutable and determined at birth. A society where imperfection is a crime punishable by death, and duty to the hive and love for the Queen is life's only reason for being.
Against this backdrop we meet a grand new heroine, Flora 717, a most unusual bee born into the lowest of the castes - sanitation. Like most of her relatives, Flora is industrious, brave, and loyal to her Queen.
However, what makes her extremely dangerous is her curiosity, boldness, and tendency toward self-reliance. These qualities brand Flora a dangerous rebel - and in the end, she just may be the only hope for her hive.
Ms. Paull uses the social structure of honey bees as a backdrop to create a saga of surprising drama and power. She also masterfully provides commentary on societal issues such as classism, political corruption, and sexism without ever being heavy-handed.
Ms. Paull's prose is beautifully fluid and descriptive as she guides us through the gorgeous natural world of the bees. I loved this book, and feel it should be on far more "best of" lists. Do yourself a favor and pay The Bees an extended visit.
Yes, the title of my review may seem to be much hyperbole, but I sincerely believe The Bees will earn it place beside beloved novels such as Watership Down and Charlotte's Web.
Based on the fascinating social behavior of honey bees, Laline Paull has created a vivid, compelling world where one's class is immutable and determined at birth. A society where imperfection is a crime punishable by death, and duty to the hive and love for the Queen is life's only reason for being.
Against this backdrop we meet a grand new heroine, Flora 717, a most unusual bee born into the lowest of the castes - sanitation. Like most of her relatives, Flora is industrious, brave, and loyal to her Queen.
However, what makes her extremely dangerous is her curiosity, boldness, and tendency toward self-reliance. These qualities brand Flora a dangerous rebel - and in the end, she just may be the only hope for her hive.
Ms. Paull uses the social structure of honey bees as a backdrop to create a saga of surprising drama and power. She also masterfully provides commentary on societal issues such as classism, political corruption, and sexism without ever being heavy-handed.
Ms. Paull's prose is beautifully fluid and descriptive as she guides us through the gorgeous natural world of the bees. I loved this book, and feel it should be on far more "best of" lists. Do yourself a favor and pay The Bees an extended visit.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As a beekeeper, I wondered if I was going to really love this book or really hate it. The author seems to have done her homework and makes the hive come alive in a world of fascinating scents and vibrations.
There is one major inaccuracy (impossibility, really) that occurs so late in the book that you're willing to just go with it to see how the story ends.
I wonder, however, how much readers are missing if they don't know bee biology? I'm pretty sure they will miss the impossibility, which is in their favor, but will they pick up on all the bee behavior that the author has included? I certainly hope so because, for the most part, she did an excellent job of telling Flora717's story.
There is one major inaccuracy (impossibility, really) that occurs so late in the book that you're willing to just go with it to see how the story ends.
I wonder, however, how much readers are missing if they don't know bee biology? I'm pretty sure they will miss the impossibility, which is in their favor, but will they pick up on all the bee behavior that the author has included? I certainly hope so because, for the most part, she did an excellent job of telling Flora717's story.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I went into this curious, and came out loving it. Essentially we're following the life of a bee that is different from the others, and seeing all the different threats.
The book does an incredible job guiding the reader to recognize that being pushed into unfamiliar territory can be a good growing experience, especially with other more experienced people guiding the way.
The book does an incredible job guiding the reader to recognize that being pushed into unfamiliar territory can be a good growing experience, especially with other more experienced people guiding the way.
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness
As a bee lover, naturally I was intrigued. Paull skillfully takes on the challenge of transporting the reader into the mind, the body and dare I say the soul of a bee. She attempts to make the rituals and emotions relatable to humans. However, as a bee enthusiast, I couldn't completely l accept some of her interpretations and my knowledge of bee behaviour removed some of the suspense. Overall, the novel felt a bit dragged out and some parts seemed unnecessary (it might have been stronger as a novella). However, I did learn a few things and I enjoyed the change of perspective. The ending definitely left me contemplating how humans and animals share one planet and still live in such different worlds.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book about bees, from the perspective of a bee born in the lowest "class" of the hive - a Flora, destined to be a sanitation worker without the power of speech. But Flora 717 is...unusual. She's bigger than other Flora, and one of the Sage priestesses determines early on that she might have powers beyond an average Flora. Normally, that would get her executed immediately - the hive does not like deviation - but it so happens that they are in need of nurses who can produce royal jelly, or Flow, to feed the Queen's babies, and Flora 717's mouth looks like it might be useful to that end, so the Sage permits her to elevate her status for a short time to feed babies, noting that she could be killed afterward or have her mind erased and sent back to sanitation. But Flora 717 continues to surprise, showing abilities that she should not have, winning favor with the Queen, proving herself to be more than station that the hive wants her to have. And ultimately, these surprising abilities lead her to commit the highest treason...which also may be the only thing that saves her hive.
I absolutely loved this book. The author clearly did considerable research into the science of honeybees and how hives work, but she also added amazing imaginative details in anthropomorphizing the bees, and there are definite allegories to be read for human nature in the story of this bee hive. It's not a book that fits easily into any standard description of genre or book type, but that just makes it even more singular. I cannot wait to read any future books that Laline Paull may write based on how incredible this one was.
I absolutely loved this book. The author clearly did considerable research into the science of honeybees and how hives work, but she also added amazing imaginative details in anthropomorphizing the bees, and there are definite allegories to be read for human nature in the story of this bee hive. It's not a book that fits easily into any standard description of genre or book type, but that just makes it even more singular. I cannot wait to read any future books that Laline Paull may write based on how incredible this one was.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Great book that draws you in and makes you want to see what comes next. Didn’t expect myself to be rooting for a bee or ending up researching various parts of hives.
The pace of the plot and issues in the hive keep you on your toes, very well written.
The pace of the plot and issues in the hive keep you on your toes, very well written.