Summary
Mad Honey is a 2022 novel by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, combining elements of mystery, family drama, and social commentary. The story follows Olivia McAfee, a beekeeper who has left an abusive marriage, and her son Asher, a high school student involved in the circumstances surrounding his girlfriend Lily's death. Told from the alternate perspectives of its complex characters, the novel examines themes of gender identity, love, and the impact of past trauma.
Plot
Mad Honey presents two intertwined narratives focusing on Olivia McAfee and her son, Asher Fields. Olivia relocates to New Hampshire after escaping an abusive marriage, sustaining her family through beekeeping. Asher, a high school senior, becomes romantically involved with Lily Campanello, a new student with a mysterious past. When Lily is found dead at the bottom of a staircase, Asher, who last saw her alive, is arrested for her alleged murder.
The story shifts between Olivia’s present-day concerns about Asher potentially inheriting his father's violent tendencies and Lily's past, illuminated through flashbacks. These flashbacks explore Lily’s transgender identity and her relationship with Asher, adding complexity to the situation.
During the trial, defense attorney Jordan McAfee tackles prejudice in the case. After a shocking twist, the characters are left dealing with lingering grief and the challenges of healing and rebuilding.
Themes
Transgender identity
Mad Honey addresses transgender identity through the character Lily Campanello, a trans girl whose experiences are central to the story. The novel explores societal challenges faced by transgender individuals. Lily endures public humiliation at a high school dance, an event highlighting bullying and violence. This incident deeply affects her emotional well-being.
The book critiques societal misconceptions and prejudices. Co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender activist, adds authenticity to this exploration. Mad Honey serves as a catalyst for dialogue on transgender rights and the community’s experiences.
The novel's themes promote understanding of the challenges faced by transgender individuals and encourage a more inclusive perspective.
Love
Mad Honey examines love through the interactions between characters. The relationship between Asher and Lily explores young love's simplicity and complexity. Olivia's maternal devotion demonstrates her desire to protect her son, even when his innocence is questioned.
Domestic abuse
The story addresses both historical and ongoing abuse. Olivia's escape from an oppressive marriage raises concerns about Asher possibly inheriting abusive tendencies. Lily's experiences with family rejection and bullying highlight the prevalence of abuse.
Gender identity
Gender identity is a key theme in Mad Honey as Lily, a transgender teen, seeks societal recognition. Her experiences indicate the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the journey toward self-acceptance.
Trust
Trust is a key element as characters face revelations and hidden truths. Olivia's trust in Asher is tested with each new discovery. Lily's story emphasizes the balance between trust and vulnerability in relationships.
The symbolism of bees
In Mad Honey, bees and beekeeping serve as a metaphor linked to central themes. Authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan use bees to symbolize community, resilience, and transformation. Olivia McAfee, the protagonist, engages in beekeeping, which reflects the dual nature of bees—offering both sweetness and danger. The concept of "mad honey," which is alluring yet risky, represents the complex relationships in the story. It shifts between being nourishing and toxic. This symbolism highlights how characters' journeys and destinies are influenced by love and conflict.
Characters
Olivia McAfee: A beekeeper and mother to Asher Fields. Olivia focuses on safeguarding her son while dealing with her past abusive relationship. She faces the challenge of balancing parental instincts with confronting family truths.
Asher Fields: Olivia’s son, who at 18 becomes a central figure in the investigation of his girlfriend Lily's death. His story explores themes of love, identity, and the impact of family legacies on personal decisions.
Lily Campanello: A transgender woman whose life and death drive the novel's mystery.
Ava Campanello: Lily’s mother, who relocates with her daughter to a New Hampshire town to escape a troubled past. Ava aims to protect Lily from societal bias and shields them from secrets.
Jordan McAfee: As Olivia’s brother and a lawyer, Jordan McAfee plays a crucial role by defending his nephew Asher. His character examines familial loyalty and the pursuit of truth amidst hidden realities.
Quick facts
Jodi Picoult co-authored Mad Honey with transgender activist Jennifer Finney Boylan, each writing alternating chapters.
The novel’s title refers to hallucinogenic honey with symbolic meanings related to toxic relationships and hidden dangers.
Mad Honey explores significant societal themes such as gender identity, domestic abuse, and self-acceptance.
Lily, a central character whose transgender identity is a major plot twist, significantly impacts the narrative.
The story alternates between two perspectives (Olivia and Lily) and two timelines, one moving forward and another in reverse chronological order.
Olivia, one of the protagonists, is a single mother and beekeeper whose life mirrors symbolic beekeeping metaphors of resilience and vulnerability.
Mad Honey includes a courtroom drama exploring small-town secrets, identity biases, and assumptions.
Asher, Olivia's artistically talented son and high school hockey player, is implicated in Lily’s death, initially presumed murder.
Jodi Picoult frequently explores controversial societal issues in her novels, earning significant attention and placement on banned book lists.
The collaboration between Picoult and Boylan resulted from Boylan's aspiration to co-author a novel with Picoult, emphasizing gender identity and sensitive social themes.
Mad Honey integrates authentic details of beekeeping as philosophical metaphors, reflecting human behaviors and societal structures.
Jordan McAfee, a recurring lawyer character from Picoult's previous novels, appears in Mad Honey managing complex legal proceedings.
About the author
Jodi Picoult (1966-) is a prolific and bestselling author of works of contemporary fiction that explore social issues, ethical dilemmas, and complex human emotions. She has published nearly 30 novels, including Wish You Were Here, Nineteen Minutes, My Sister’s Keeper, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and By Any Other Name. Her books have sold approximately 40 million copies worldwide. Jennifer Finney Boylan (1958-) is a bestselling author, transgender activist, and professor at Barnard College. She gained recognition with her memoir She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders. In Mad Honey, Picoult and Boylan merge their expertise to address themes of gender identity and domestic abuse.
