• 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 (7,880 ratings)

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The Secret Life of Bees  By  cover art

The Secret Life of Bees

By: Sue Monk Kidd
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
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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

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What listeners say about The Secret Life of Bees

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Charming Story

Where does The Secret Life of Bees rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Can't beat this story for tugging at your heartstrings but also maintaining an interesting level of tension to keep you listening.

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great novel!

I loved this book, and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was suspenseful, and couldn't wait to drive to listen to it again.

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great racial perspective

Would you be willing to try another one of Jenna Lamia’s performances?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

Many in our country today could benefit from reflecting on the experience that this young girl had with racial prejudices & injustices.

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Superb Audiobook!

The audio book of The Secret Life of Bees is, for me, the standard for audiobooks. The matching of the narrator's voice, with the character, Lily, is perfection. Fourteen-year-old, southern, Lily sounds precisely as one would expect, imbuing her insights, fears, and dreams with a poignancy that embeds the reader in the story. Even if you have read the book, listening to The Secret Life of Bees is worth the visit. Like that movie you can watch over and over, this audiobook is a classic.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Thought Provoking

I loved it! Be ready to feel the feels! My sophomore daughter recommended it to me.

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loved it

I loved this book. It is an absolutely amazing read. I highly suggest this breathtaking novel.

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Multifaceted Story

I initially became an Audible member in order to listen to this book as for a college English assignment back in 2014, so this is my very first audiobook from Audible!

Honestly, not something I enjoyed reading or listening to, but I must admit that the story is fairly sophisticated. It has many themes incorporated into one story: history, racism, feminism, patriarchy, the teenage mind, and a ton of allegory. Lots of interesting turns in the story, and satisfying resolutions/conclusions that’s very well-developed and thought-out. I would recommend this book despite not enjoying it.

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Buzz

Great narration. Touching relationships and historical look at that time. Bees are so interesting too. Liked it a lot.

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Perfection!!!

So much has been written about the qualities and tenderness of this unforgettable book I’m simply wanting to add how absolutely marvelous the narrator is. Each inflection is so life-like and endearing she adds incalculable value to this meticulously crafted composition.

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So very good!

The Secret Life of Bees on Audible is one of the best ever narrations I have ever heard. It's a book, but it's like theater. Narrators make or break a book. Jenna Lamia makes this book.

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