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American Historical Fiction
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Sign up todayThe Secret Life of Bees
Narrator
Jenna Lamia
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Length
9 hours 53 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Sue Monk Kidd's captivating debut novel, The Secret Life of Bees, is set in South Carolina during the 1960s and follows the journey of young Lily Owens. Haunted by the blurred memory of her mother's death, Lily's life takes a dramatic turn when she and her surrogate mother, Rosaleen, flee to Tiburon after a racially charged incident. There, they find refuge with a trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to the fascinating world of bees and honey. As she uncovers secrets about her mother's past, Lily embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, exploring the power of divine femininity, love, and the importance of family. This timeless tale resonates with readers across generations.”
— The Spine Bookshop • The Spine Bookshop
An intoxicating debut novel of "one motherless daughter's discovery of...the strange and wonderful places we find love" —The Washington PostSue 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 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 "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.
Sue Monk Kidd is the award-winning and bestselling author of the novels The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair. She has also written several acclaimed memoirs, including Traveling with Pomegranates, and serves on the Writers Council for Poets & Writers, Inc. Kidd lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney. To learn more, visit suemonkkidd.com.
Jenna Lamia has appeared on- and off-Broadway, as well as on television in Law and Order: SVU, Strangers with Candy, HBO's Oz, and MTV's Awkward., of which she is also the coexecutive producer. Her film credits include The Fighter and The Call.
Sue Monk Kidd is the award-winning and bestselling author of the novels The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair. She has also written several acclaimed memoirs, including Traveling with Pomegranates, and serves on the Writers Council for Poets & Writers, Inc. Kidd lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney. To learn more, visit suemonkkidd.com.
Jenna Lamia has appeared on- and off-Broadway, as well as on television in Law and Order: SVU, Strangers with Candy, HBO's Oz, and MTV's Awkward., of which she is also the coexecutive producer. Her film credits include The Fighter and The Call.
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Reviews
"Sue Monk Kidd is an extraordinary storyteller. Beautifully written."—Ursula Hegi"A wonderful novel about mothers and daughters and the transcendent power of love."—Connie May fowler
"With imagination as lush and colorful as the American South, a clutch of deliciously eccentric characters and vivid prose, Sue Monk Kidd creates a rich, maternal haven in a harsh world." —Christina Schwarz
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