• 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 (7,881 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
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5,963
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Kept me listening...way too long!!

What made the experience of listening to The Secret Life of Bees the most enjoyable?

Great story line with just enough descriptives to set it in your mind's eye. There were no lulls, good pace...both comedic and heart wrenching.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Loved them all. August and Lilly were the center of the story and best developed.

Which character – as performed by Jenna Lamia – was your favorite?

Lilly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have.

Any additional comments?

Great read!

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

waited too long to listen in

Wow!! the imagery, the cadence, all contribute to the impact of this lovely book.

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

A must read!

amazing! the storyline and character development is phenomenal. it came to life with the narration.

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

my favorite!!!

I love this story and how it is told! one of the best for me!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • KS
  • 09-09-22

A re-listen for sure!!

The narrator was flawless! She made this book as interesting as the book itself.. Not all narrators give/do their book justice but she definitely did! She gave the book life. I have relisened to this particular story the most out of all of my books! I will continue to relisten.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Meaningful & Delightful

This book defines the meaning of "a must read"...
a thoughtfully and well written book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book!

Loved this book and the narration was perfect! I wrote out many of the beautiful words written by the author. Here is one of my favorite passages:

“I realized it for the first time in my life. There was nothing but mystery in the world. How it hides behind the fabric of our poor browbeat days shining brightly. And we don’t even know it.”
From The Secret Life of Bees
🐝

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Read beautifully!

The narrator does a perfect job with all of the voices of the characters. She made listening to the story, so wonderful.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sweet southern fiction

A sweet story that in twines several components of southern life. The reader adds to that with her southern accent.
Was a good read!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So so good!

This is an awesome story & the narrator is fantastic. The narrator brought the story to life.

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