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hannahes0423's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Child abuse, Suicide, Racism, and Death of parent
bmpicc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Bees. Check. 1960's. Check. Coming of age. Check. Family mystery. Check. This book is like sprinkles of all my favorite things. I opted for the audiobook and I'm glad. I liked the voice of the narrator.
"I laid my head on his shoulder and wondered how he could stand me. In one short morning I had exhibited insane laughter, hidden lust, pissy behavior, self-pity, and hysterical crying. If I'd been trying to show him my worst sides, I could not have done a better job than this."
"I laid my head on his shoulder and wondered how he could stand me. In one short morning I had exhibited insane laughter, hidden lust, pissy behavior, self-pity, and hysterical crying. If I'd been trying to show him my worst sides, I could not have done a better job than this."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Suicide, and Racism
palmsygal's review against another edition
3.5
I did enjoy this book, but felt I just could not focus on it for long periods of time. Regrettably, this took me a lot longer to read than I thought it would.
I would like to say that Sue Monk Kidd’s writing style is something I liked a lot: her use of bee facts at the start of each chapter resonated with me as I was able to relate a lot of that chapter’s unfolding to that small piece of knowledge. She uses simple imagery and metaphors, and yet they paint a picture you can see vividly. I always engage more with books that I can see in my mind fully, and I couldn’t stop myself from using her words to have a clear view in my mind of what she was telling.
Reading this book for March was perfect, due to Mothers Day. I have read a review recently that pointed out this book’s main point and focus is on mothers, and I could not agree more. Throughout Lily’s life so far, she holds guilt towards her mother’s death and always ponders on what could have been (in her early life when she was still alive and in present day where she should have been). We also see Rosaleen, a worker for Lily and her father, who holds another load of mothering qualities - she cares for Lily as if her own daughter, advises her as a mother would do, and shows love and compassion throughout. With Lily’s own doings, we see this reflected back as a daughter would do, as she continuously protects her, looks to her for guidance, and quite simply loves her back. The Boatwright sisters are just another example, with August providing the utmost mothering care, May providing both the laughter and empathy a mother should share with her daughter, and June providing the carefulness and stern attitude that a mother must sometimes have.
There is so much love in this book, which is what I wanted to focus on in this review. We, of course, have to mention this tale provides context into racism in that era and shows a true replica of how people were treated in those days - I am glad Lily was not portrayed as totally innocent in this, as she has grown up in this world and has had to tackle her own naivety and privileged opinions. I commend the author for this, as I feel it is sometimes easy for their own main characters to be seen as perfect and can do no wrong.
Overall, this is a story I recommend reading for all. The only thing I wished for is more detail to some things(eg: Zach and his release from jail, it would’ve been interesting to read this fully; T.Ray and Deborah’s story, what happened between them for things to go so sour seemingly suddenly?)
I would like to say that Sue Monk Kidd’s writing style is something I liked a lot: her use of bee facts at the start of each chapter resonated with me as I was able to relate a lot of that chapter’s unfolding to that small piece of knowledge. She uses simple imagery and metaphors, and yet they paint a picture you can see vividly. I always engage more with books that I can see in my mind fully, and I couldn’t stop myself from using her words to have a clear view in my mind of what she was telling.
Reading this book for March was perfect, due to Mothers Day. I have read a review recently that pointed out this book’s main point and focus is on mothers, and I could not agree more. Throughout Lily’s life so far, she holds guilt towards her mother’s death and always ponders on what could have been (in her early life when she was still alive and in present day where she should have been). We also see Rosaleen, a worker for Lily and her father, who holds another load of mothering qualities - she cares for Lily as if her own daughter, advises her as a mother would do, and shows love and compassion throughout. With Lily’s own doings, we see this reflected back as a daughter would do, as she continuously protects her, looks to her for guidance, and quite simply loves her back. The Boatwright sisters are just another example, with August providing the utmost mothering care, May providing both the laughter and empathy a mother should share with her daughter, and June providing the carefulness and stern attitude that a mother must sometimes have.
There is so much love in this book, which is what I wanted to focus on in this review. We, of course, have to mention this tale provides context into racism in that era and shows a true replica of how people were treated in those days - I am glad Lily was not portrayed as totally innocent in this, as she has grown up in this world and has had to tackle her own naivety and privileged opinions. I commend the author for this, as I feel it is sometimes easy for their own main characters to be seen as perfect and can do no wrong.
Overall, this is a story I recommend reading for all. The only thing I wished for is more detail to some things
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, and Violence
rubberrosebooks's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
shanti_anna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Racism
leof555's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
cassandra_grace's review
emotional
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
3.5
the book was good and i really liked the character development you saw throughout the whole book. there is very heavy racism and multiple instances of the n-word being said, as well as a suicide that happens in the book and another that is mentioned, and also child abuse is a big thing as well, so if that’s not something you want to read definitely don’t pick this book up. i really liked the book overall, though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, Death of parent, Mental illness, Grief, Death, Racism, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Vomit
drraytay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I'm not fully sure how I feel about a white woman writing a book with racial slurs repeated many times. I l know it's historical fiction and those phrases were common for the time but it still felt icky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, and Gun violence
writingcaia's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Honey sweet, love poured viscous unto me while reading, but also the cruelty of Black reality in the 60’s.
This is a beautiful book, with amazing characters, harsh realities and truths, and a lot of love.
This is a beautiful book, with amazing characters, harsh realities and truths, and a lot of love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Child abuse
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
kotashomelibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Racial slurs, Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Hate crime