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  • 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 (7,977 ratings)

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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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  • 3 Stars
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a favorite of mine.

I don't know what it was about this book that appealed to me as a teenager but it did and it was one of my most reread at the time. and the audio book is perfect. the narrator couldn't be more perfect for Lilly if she tried.

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A beautiful story

When I first picked up this story I assumed it would be boring because it had been assigned as a summer assignment, but I was sure proven wrong. This story is beautiful in the honesty and simplicity of its characters. It does a wonderful job in exploring the complex ways in which love finds us. The setting of the story is a time in which there is much hatred towards the African American community. This aspect of the book makes it highly thoughtful. An easy read and magnificent story, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

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Add it to your library you'll not be sorry...

Narration by Jenna Lamia is spectacular - I didn't want it to end. It's a touching story well written by Sue Monk Kidd. It's another one of those "can't put down" or "kept me up late listening" type of books. I would listen on the subway and could easily miss my stop as I would get so involved in anticipation of what was next.

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Excellent

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

This audiobook is by far the best recording that I have ever heard.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Lily Owens because she continually showed determination and strength.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The very end of the book moved me because it showed that there are more people that love us than we know.

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Awesome

This story took me by surprised! Better than I could have imagined! Every woman should listen to it!

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Good read

I watched the movie before reading the book. I love both and recommend reading the book before watching the movie.

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Southern bees. . .

I was reminded that some of our best encouragements to keep on come from nature.

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I couldn't put the book down!

Great story and great audio performance! I carried my audiobook wherever I went! (including gardening, a football game and a golf tournament!
Thank you, Sue Monk Kid for this wonderful novel!!

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

Just exquisite.

SMK has a way with words that seems into the very holes of who we are as women, mothers, daughters and dreamers. This book swept me off of my feet and didn’t sit me down until the very last word. A story of racism, coming of age, proper feminism, resilience and true love. Not the romantic kind of love but the love you have the day you’re born that grows and expands and flowers into who you’re meant to be every time you pour it onto to someone else and receive it.

Long live the storytellers. May they keep our minds and hearts in the clouds 🐝

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Jenna Lamia has a true calling!

Fantastic book, truly. But I positively ADORE Jenna Lamia's performance best of all. By far the best audio book performance I've heard to date. She brought me right into the story and made it real and magical all at once. Perfection.

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