Reviews

This book took me like almost 6 months to read and not because I found the content uninteresting it just didn't move along very fast even though it's a relatively short book.

lucindapearson's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Sue Monk Kidd's "The Secret Life of Bees" is a heartfelt narrative, that captures the essence of a young girl's journey towards self-discovery amidst the complexities of racial tensions in 1960s South Carolina.

Characters: 3/5
The characters are well-drawn, with Lily's coming of age at the forefront. While they provide a solid foundation for the story, they could benefit from further development to fully bring out their emotional depth.

Plot: 3/5
The plot is engaging, offering a satisfying blend of tension and resolution that keeps the reader invested in Lily's fate and the secrets she uncovers.

Pace: 3/5
The pace of the novel fluctuates, with some parts feeling gripping while others take a more measured approach, allowing the reader to ponder the themes presented.

Setting: 4/5
The setting is one of the book's highlights, with the vivid portrayal of the South and the intricate details of beekeeping adding a rich layer to the story.

Writing Style: 4/5
Kidd's writing style is witty and expressive, with a rhythm that complements the narrative's emotional undertones.
At the beginning of each chapter, she included an epigraph which served as a thoughtful reflection that paralleled the unfolding story. This was a poignant and charming touch that enhanced the reading experience and complimented the book's themes of growth and community.

In summary, "The Secret Life of Bees" is a touching historical novel that offers a story that resonates with hope and the power of connection.

bambiann's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ellianderjoy's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

terryknight's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

gooddogvegas's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ladyphoenixqueen's review against another edition

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5.0

So good! I love seeing a character as a kindred spirit - racism is stupid and people are people, no matter the color of their skin. I also loved reading about all the sage wisdom Lily received from her "mothers." Love is such a force of nature. I learned a ton about bees too. It makes me want to start keeping bees, but I think I'll just work on trying to cultivate a garden for bees to thrive.

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