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The Secret Life of Bees
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
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The Secret Life of Bees
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Summary
Don't miss the extraordinary new novel from Sue Monk Kidd, The Book of Longings - published on 21st April 2020, and available to pre-order now.
A fabulous coming-of-age debut novel that has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, and has been made into a movie starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Paul Bettany.
Lily has grown up believing she accidentally killed her mother when she was four. She not only has her own memory of holding the gun, but her father's account of the event. Now 14, she yearns for her mother, and for forgiveness. Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her father, she has only one friend: Rosaleen, a black servant whose sharp exterior hides a tender heart.
South Carolina in the '60s is a place where segregation is still considered a cause worth fighting for. When racial tension explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten, Lily is compelled to act. Fugitives from justice and from Lily's harsh and unyielding father, they follow a trail left by the woman who died 10 years before.
Finding sanctuary in the home of three beekeeping sisters, Lily starts a journey as much about her understanding of the world, as about the mystery surrounding her mother.
Critic reviews
"Wonderfully written, powerful, poignant, and humorous... Do read it" (Joanna Trollope)
"This is a wonderful book, by turns funny, sad, full of incident and shot through with grown-up magic reminiscent of Joanne Harris" (Daily Telegraph)
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What listeners say about The Secret Life of Bees
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Foshy
- 26-08-15
I liked this audio book
This was slow to start, but once I got into the story it just got better and better. Kept me listening. The accents of the narrator took a little time to get used to. Overall this was a good book. I recommend.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 18-02-15
Great story -pity about the narrator
I really enjoyed this story in the end. It has a beautiful pace and attention to detail. However, I gave up listening the first time because I found the narrator too shrill. She is supposed to me in her early to mid teens but I felt the voice to be too young and not a match for the character.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ruth Mackie
- 21-06-21
Great
I really enjoyed this, the narrator was good and the story was engaging. A great audiobook.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jellyuk
- 04-04-18
Fantastic performance
loved this book!! The performance was outstanding- I whizzed through it as just couldn't stop listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ATS
- 06-12-16
Wonderful story.... brilliant writing
Would you listen to The Secret Life of Bees again? Why?
I don't re-listen to books.... so I'd have to say no. But don't let that deter you... it's a glorious story. The writer is so imaginative. The narration is one of the best I've heard.
What other book might you compare The Secret Life of Bees to, and why?
Hard to compare this as its unique and very special. In terms of my rating based on character development, I would say "Sugar".
Which character – as performed by Jenna Lamia – was your favourite?
Lilly of course, but her "adopted" family are also great characters.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were lots of great moments, but one that stood out was when Lilly talked about "a sense of belonging" when her new family were joking about the display of the coffin.
Any additional comments?
Huge thumbs up!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Eilish Dunworth
- 24-11-16
Compelling!
I loved every minute of this book. Both the story and the narration were simply compelling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MissMoftheUK
- 22-11-16
Wow, so beautiful
I have not seen the film of this amazing book. The readers voice is awesome and perfectly fits the story. This book is a must listen to. I would write about it but I dont want to ruin it for you.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs
- 25-08-18
Heartwarming tale
I enjoyed this story, although it made me ashamed to be white sometimes. Excellent narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs
- 08-11-18
Fantastic!
What a fantastic book! I could not put it down. Hope the film is as good!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- MarshGirl
- 25-05-20
wonderful atmospheric book, deep south brought al
I loved this book. listening on Audio made it more real with the southern accents, and I was sorry when it came to an end.
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