• The Secret Life of Bees

  • By: Sue Monk Kidd
  • Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
  • Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (7,876 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Secret Life of Bees  By  cover art

The Secret Life of Bees

By: Sue Monk Kidd
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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 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.

©2003 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2008 Penguin

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Secret Life of Bees

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,959
  • 4 Stars
    1,365
  • 3 Stars
    385
  • 2 Stars
    86
  • 1 Stars
    81
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,628
  • 4 Stars
    761
  • 3 Stars
    188
  • 2 Stars
    37
  • 1 Stars
    53
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,103
  • 4 Stars
    1,052
  • 3 Stars
    341
  • 2 Stars
    76
  • 1 Stars
    62

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BRILLANT WRITEN STORY

Sue Monk Kidd has an excellent ability to reproduce the voices of people. Performance inspiring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such an amazing journey of life and love.

I had watched the movie and thought I was prepared for the book. I was not expecting to be so drawn in.
There are so many levels of emotion; with story lines that weave together beautifully! The narration is well done and fits realistically with the story.
This is a book that I will revisit again in the future.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I loved listening to it. The characters are relatable and we get to see snippets of their beautiful complexity. The bee metaphors are simply inspiring, the story is sweet and uplifting. Will definitely listen to this often.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pearls of wisdom

This is my second experience with Secret Life. So many pearls of wisdom I wish I could keep in my head. A favorite phrase is “muscle of love”. Wish each of us could feel a muscle of love each day.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Had to read it to teach some high schoolers

Sure was worth it. I'll be teaching this for years to come. Great book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unassumingly Charming Southern Literature

This novel was read beautifully by Jenna Lamia. She really captured the voice of Lily.

This story captures the culture of the 60s in the South in a beautiful, rather than tragic way. The story of her discovering who she is - no doubt a result of her past, and a child of the South, but not one to be stuck in the mire of either - is an inspiring one. We should all learn to love so readily.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved this book.

all around great book. I didn't even want to take a break! read it! you will enjoy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love!

So amazing!!!! The author is so grat at making you feel everything as its happening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

yup dood

the last 3 chapters had my glued to my seat wowzers! sire is a great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I hated for it to end!

Another great work by Sue Monk Kidd with EXCELLENT narration by Jenna Lamia.
I stayed awake until 3:30 am to continue listening.
After first listening to The Invention of Wings, also with narration by Jenna Lamia, I was almost afraid to begin The Secret Life of Bees. I was afraid I would be disappointed.
I only wish that I had found these books, and this author, much sooner.
Highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!