School Library Journal Best Books of the Year (USA)
Winner
2003
Book Sense Book of the Year (USA)
Nominee/Honoree
2003
SEBA Book Awards (USA)
Nominee/Honoree
2004
Book Sense Book of the Year (USA)
Winner
2004
Young Reader's Award (USA)
Nominee/Honoree
Description/Notes
Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black 'stand-in mother.' Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina-a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come. Now in paperback comes the intoxicating debut novel of 'one motherless daughter's discover of . . . the strange and wondrous places we find love' ('The Washington Post'). A bestseller in hardcover, Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing work is set in South Carolina in 1964. A movie version is forthcoming from Fox Searchlight. Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Beestells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted 'stand-in mother,' Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love--a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come. A moving first novel...Lily is an authentic and winning character and her story is compellingly told. (USA Today) Inspiring. Sue Monk Kidd is a direct literary descendant of Carson McCullers. (The Baltimore Sun)