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The Keeper of the Bees  By  cover art

The Keeper of the Bees

By: Gene Stratton-Porter
Narrated by: Anne Hancock
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Publisher's summary

Gene Stratton-Porter (A Girl of the Limberlost and Laddie) was a writer whose primary interest was the natural world. In The Keeper of the Bees, her last novel, she brought to vivid life the coastline, flora, and fauna of her adopted California.

Jamie MacFarlane has returned a hero from the Great War but with a stubborn chest wound. The government has sent him to their new thermal springs hospital in California "where it was hoped that the brilliant sunshine, the fruits, and the clean air, the eternal summer of a beneficent land" would heal him. But nothing has worked, and with his parents now deceased and no one to care for him, it seems the next step is a camp rife with tuberculosis. Realizing this, Jamie begins his great adventure on foot toward the ocean.

For miles, he encounters both sympathy and villainy, and just as his own strength is at its lowest ebb, he finds salvation when he encounters an elderly gentleman who's in worse shape than he is. Jamie agrees to take on the gentleman's work tending his bees, aided by his assistant, the precocious 10-year-old Little Scout.

The Pacific Ocean air, ripe fruits, and exercise are certainly beneficial, but it's not until Jamie begins to think beyond his own mortality that he truly begins to heal. His natural empathy, his work among the bees, new friendships, and a mysterious young woman may be the keys to a new life and his cure.

About the bees: Ever the naturalist, Stratton-Porter delivers, through Little Scout's child-like tutorial to Jamie, the clearest explanation ever written of the complicated society of these fascinating creatures.

Public Domain (P)2020 Anne Hancock

What listeners say about The Keeper of the Bees

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Old fashion in a nice way

It was very interesting to hear a story written in 1925! It was a nice narration!

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2 people found this helpful

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The utmost importance of honor

Loved the story line and the honesty and real people. The integrity and great feelings of whom it was written

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Wholesome, delightful story!

Thoroughly enjoyed this story, through all the struggles & joys! I want to visit this house & the bee garden!

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by far the best story I've ever finished

it has everything. I laughed, I cried, I felt anger, I felt hope. a brilliantly perfect reading. my favorite speed was 1.6. I think I'll make this a yearly read. I found myself crying when it was over because I loved it so much. like a favorite show that came to a close. wonderfully written, beautiful performed.

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Enchanting!

Wonderful in every single way! I will certainly recommend, and read again. Thank you

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Best Read

Gene Stratton Porter is probably my favorite author because I like happy endings. This book does not disappoint.

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Excellent

So much beauty and truth! One of the best from GS Porter. Very good narrator.

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Heart-warming story

Delightful story of the journey of a broken man after the war to his redemption aided by his little scout and the continuous, brilliant presence of the bees and the glorious flowers. Great read!

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wonderful story

Beginning was hard to get into but LOVED this book. Going to suggest for book club

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Uplifting read

I enjoyed this book and the narrator. It’s a sweet story of life struggles and lessons learned. Enjoy!

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1 person found this helpful