Reviews

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

mahuls's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved the book...loved the movie-very well-done for an adaptation.

andreagraves's review against another edition

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3.0

I thought this was a good book. The whole time period they lived in makes me sick, with the racism. Such sad times, but they were real, so I feel it's good to appreciate how far we have come. It was more of a heavy read then I had expected, so that surprised me. I love the sisterhood that exists in this book and the ending was better then what I had thought it would be. So it was not so much a relaxing read for me, but one I'm glad I did, but not prolly a book I will re-read.

Also, I felt scared for life whenever anyone in this book said the "N" word. A word that absolutely makes my skin crawl. That word is sick and wrong . . .

psypunk_jm's review against another edition

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3.0

It's a kind of story with a slow on-going but the way the author has written it is good. I don't know how to go much about it since that story is plainly obvious: a coming-of-age novel of a young girl with complicated issues with her family living in 1960s America at the height of the Civil Rights movement as a background.

What is powerful here is the camaraderie and power women hold when they stand together for the same cause. Everyone could be their own, but it is reinforced and unadulterated with the guidance of a mother, companion, and friend of the same gender. I'm not saying it is not possible if it's of opposite sex or gender, but the idea that the sense of self reverberates with the support of someone who knows, understands, and stands with where you're coming from. Who knows best the pain and joy of being a girl? Only the society of women themselves.

It's a good transition from girlhood to womanhood though hardly a flawless process. Different portraits of women set as a model for Lily and thinking about it, I'm glad she did stand for herself in the end.

Also, it's good to have met someone in our lives to inspire us to be our own person sooner or later, no matter what the gender. As long as we feel we belong and we are loved, that's what really matters.

ri_lei_gh's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.0

i_luvreading's review against another edition

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inspiring medium-paced

4.0

rannetteh's review against another edition

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5.0

This book moved me beyond words. I related to Lily in so many ways!

cfpierce's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.75

jlnlola's review against another edition

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challenging reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

mackwilb's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

allie_schick's review against another edition

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emotional 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

3.5