40 pages • 1 hour read
Sue Monk KiddThe Secret Life of Bees
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set in 1964 South Carolina, The Secret Life of Bees follows Lily Owens, who, together with her caretaker Rosaleen, escapes her abusive father and searches for her deceased mother’s past, leading them to the Boatwright sisters' bee farm. There, Lily learns about love, forgiveness, and the divine feminine, confronting her own pain and the racial tensions of the era. Contains themes of parental loss, racial violence, and physical abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees is celebrated for its vivid storytelling, rich Southern setting, and exploration of themes like race, identity, and family. Readers praise the compelling characters and emotional depth. Some critique the plot's predictability and occasional sentimental tone. Overall, it's a poignant, impactful read that resonates with many.
Who Should Read The Secret Life of Bees?
Readers who enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird or The Help will appreciate The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This novel appeals to those interested in coming-of-age stories, themes of racial tension, and the search for maternal love set against the backdrop of 1960s South Carolina.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
840LBook Details
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Historical Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Race / Racism
History: World
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Relationships: Mothers
Identity: Race