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jessicohen15's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.75
Historical fiction isn’t always my jam but it was beautifully written and certain passages I’d often skip over in other book, ones of great detail of reflection, popped off the page in angelic notes. I didn’t have to read this for school, just for fun and I think not having to dissect the piece definitely allowed me to enjoy it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
lindseyhall44's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
The Secret Life of Bees is a critically acclaimed intersectional feminist story set in South Carolina 1964, amidst a time of racial turmoil. Readers follow Lily, a white 14 year old girl and her African American “stand in mother” as they flee discrimination, emotional/physical abuse, and jail on a journey to learn more about the protagonist’s deceased mother. While the premise of this novel was strong, I found that Kidd relied heavily on problematic stereotypes when developing the African American characters, for example, the angry, uneducated, and emotional black woman. As a biracial person myself, this was difficult to read, especially since I the characters were described as “eccentric.”Kidd also used the n slur as a white author, and the r slur as an abled author something I heavily disagree with. Overall, these factors and the writing were what knocked the novel down to three stars, but it is a compelling and fast paced read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
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