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A review by phantomgecko
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
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? Yes
4.0
I couldn't help comparing this to The Help even though the setting is about all they share (plus a skinny white girl). I like this one better.
Though it's a pretty significant part of the story, I didn't love the Mary worship. Black Madonna? Awesome, great great honey label. But literally worshipping an idol does not appeal to me. Some of the sentiments were fine. Finding the mother within yourself and such.
I enjoy books that come with discussion questions in the back because I'm not in a book group and like thinking at least a little critically about novels. The first question in this one was about T Ray, whether it was surprising to find out he used to be different. And it led me to an appreciation of how the novel played out.It was good that Deborah didn't turn out to be as perfect as Lily idealized. It was good that Lily had to legitimately find it within her soul to forgive her mother. It was good that she acknowledged it was a perpetual process.
Though it's a pretty significant part of the story, I didn't love the Mary worship. Black Madonna? Awesome, great great honey label. But literally worshipping an idol does not appeal to me. Some of the sentiments were fine. Finding the mother within yourself and such.
I enjoy books that come with discussion questions in the back because I'm not in a book group and like thinking at least a little critically about novels. The first question in this one was about T Ray, whether it was surprising to find out he used to be different. And it led me to an appreciation of how the novel played out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Child abuse, Grief, Racism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide