Sue Monk Kidd hit a home run with her first novel. I have to go buy one of her other novels to read now! This book is magnificent, beautiful, strong, inspiring, emotional, enlightening, charming and so much more. I don't know enough words to describe the beauty of The Secret Life of Bees. The pacing, voice, story, transitions, and characters are all perfect. The writing can be very painful and yet breathtaking. Every chapter has its own pocket full of wisdom. The Secret Life of Bees is a real treasure.
The title of the book I feel leads people astray. Don't get me wrong. The book discusses bees a lot, but it only enriches the story. My interpretation of the purpose of The Secret life of Bees is the fight for acceptance and forgiveness. To find acceptance and forgiveness from others and from yourself. The main character, Lily Owens, is haunted by a memory of when she was four years old (I won't give any spoilers). Lily struggles to forgive herself and others and to except life. Lily is in search for is acceptance and for someone to love her. She meets the Boatwright sisters (August, June, and May), who become her teachers about life and make her feel loved. She finds her family with the calendar sisters.
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here.” -August Boatwright
I pray that this story gets told again and again. So that its beauty never dies.
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