by Sue Monk Kidd
This book has been in print for 8 years now, but I have only just discovered it. Set in 1964 in South Carolina, its main character is Lily Owens, a 14 year old white girl. She carries a huge burden of guilt as she believes that, as a four year old, she killed her mother. As a result of this, and also because of a poor relationship with her father, she considers herself unlovable. She lives with her father on his peach farm and her only friend is a black servant, Rosaleen.
The novel is set at the time when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law and the whole question of racial tension is of central importance. Lily and Rosaleen have to flee from the law as a result of a race-fuelled incident and undertake a journey which brings them into contact with three beekeeping sisters. The friendships which develop from this contact have a profound effect on both of them and contribute significantly to Lily's growth of understanding of the world and of herself.
Each chapter is preceded by a quotation from one of several beekeeping texts, and bees and honey are vital to the fabric of the story. You could almost say that the text is soaked with honey! Anyone reading this novel will have to work out the significance of the bees for themselves ..... I'm not going to do it for you!
This is a moving story about life, love, religion, death, prejudice and self-discovery.
I highly recommend it.
The novel is set at the time when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law and the whole question of racial tension is of central importance. Lily and Rosaleen have to flee from the law as a result of a race-fuelled incident and undertake a journey which brings them into contact with three beekeeping sisters. The friendships which develop from this contact have a profound effect on both of them and contribute significantly to Lily's growth of understanding of the world and of herself.
Each chapter is preceded by a quotation from one of several beekeeping texts, and bees and honey are vital to the fabric of the story. You could almost say that the text is soaked with honey! Anyone reading this novel will have to work out the significance of the bees for themselves ..... I'm not going to do it for you!
This is a moving story about life, love, religion, death, prejudice and self-discovery.
I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Jean Nale
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