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Top reviews from the United States

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Mrs I.C. Walker

Heavy Going

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2021

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This was recommended to me by someone who's opinion I do respect. But. .. I just cannot complete the book. It is so negative and grumpy and depressing. Two of the fathers have issues with their sons - quite similar issues and expectations
There is no joy in the book so far - maybe at the end there might be? But I give up

Nada Zaitoun

Hope

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018

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Hope. The final word and the most apt. Every generation's story ended with hope. I really enjoyed the format of this novel with the stories of the three generations being told and, despite the challenges experienced by the characters, culminating in hope.

sonia bihun

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2017

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A scary, thought provoking story of the fragility of nature and mankind`s influence in its demise.
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

Liana

Brand new item as promised.

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018

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The quality of the book was perfect. Brand new as promised. Plot/concept of the book was 3.5/5 if you're looking for a book review too!

Rahle Dusheiko

Enjoyable and engaging

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021

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Fascinating and compelling. A real wake up cal to the reality of the issues we face with the deceasing colonies of bees.

Amazon Customer

Found it a bit hard to get into it at ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018

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Found it a bit hard to get into it at first as I adjusted to the characters and timelines! Not all the characters make enjoyable reading although they are intriguing

Sarah

Beautiful

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2019

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Terrifying, but beautifully written. Present, past and future captured whole heartedly. Everyone needs to read this book, it’s a much needed reality check.

Linda Birkholtz

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2017

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interesting and it makes you think about the importance of bees

Top reviews from other countries

BookWorm

Three interlinked stories - nice, but not memorable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2018

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This novel is essentially three interlinked stories, told in alternating chapters. The first story is about a 19th century naturalist whose scientific ambitions have been curtailed by his ever growing family. He wants to research bees, but keeps finding others have pipped him to the post in his discoveries. The second is set in 2007, and is about a USA beekeeper with a small but thriving family honey farm. The third story is set in futuristic China, where pollinating insects have all died out and plants must be pollinated by hand. Tao is a young woman who works as a pollinator, but dreams of a more academic future for her son.

The link between the stories isn't really apparent until near the end of the novel, and even then they remain quite separate and self-contained. I'm not a fan of short stories (compared to novels) and I prefer books where there is one set of characters that you can really get to know and love. So for me, novels with this type of structure are never as enjoyable.

The writing is good quality and its easy to read. I found the storyline with Tao the most relatable and powerful for me, but I also liked the character of modern-day beekeeper George who seemed a very decent man with straightforward ambitions. The relationship between parents and children, and the hopes and dreams that parents harbour for their offspring, is an important theme and the parallels between the stories around that topic adds another layer of connectivity.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it interesting but did not get a strong emotional payoff from it - it was neither very exciting, nor very sad, nor very funny. That's not to say it didn't have value, but I know I'll be hard pressed to remember the plot in a few weeks.

Nanatattyhead

An inspiring story of hope and new beginnings.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2018

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I've always been interested in bees, ever since as children, my brother and I used to visit family friends who kept bees at the bottom of his garden. We used to help harvest the honey and be first to taste it! So to read this book with the little bit I know about beekeeping made it an even better story. The way it was split into the past, present and future and how eventually it all tied together. How it told of the devastation caused with no bees, because we all know we need bees to survive. No bees, no pollination, little or no food...
It showed how one nation used people to pollinate and how three families across the 3 periods of time all had an affinity with the bees. And of one man who thought his life's work was worth nothing, but many years into the future became what he had always wanted, the name associated with the best type of hive.
All in all a beautiful novel and one I would certainly read again and definitely recommend.

Fullbloom2010

My review

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2018

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Wish I could write a good review for this book but sadly I found it very disjointed with plots that left a lot to be desired. If I had not been reading it as a book club choice I don't think I would have finished it. I think the title was quite misleading as though each character was connected to bees in some way the actual story of each character was more about their failings or temperament and how that dictated the path and failure of their lives. It was not an easy read and had little joy in it. The rotation of the characters was irritating and some were positively boring. I wonder whether it had lost a lot in translation as so many people seem to have read it world wide but I have to admit I would not recommend it.

AS

history of bees - intelligent & thought provoking novel

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2018

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I loved this, an intriguing story of 3 groups of people, linked by bees & children - each set in a different time and continent. It makes you think and question the wisdom of trying to control things, and then the implications and unforeseen consequences (both with children and the ecosystem). Topical - insects are so valuable to the ecosystem - I hope the future as Tao knew it is just fiction! I know some of it was obvious, but it was still a nice touch how Charlotte connected into George's story, and how Tom followed his principles and linked into Tao's story. Moving & intelligent, with enough left to make you question things.

Dorset Lady

Worth a read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2017

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I bought this book because l heard the author interviewed in the radio and it sounded interesting. The book is three different stories taking place in different times which all have a common link the bees. Unlike the fulsome reviews written bewildered in exchange for a free copy of the book and which will give you the whole plot and to my mind spoil the story or rather stories, l will just say l found it interesting and thought provoking, it was slow to get going so persevere. It could have a bit longer as it was expensive for a kindle book, which may put some people off. L hope it does well and l think would work well as a dramatisation.

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