Eileen Garvin’s The Music of Bees has garnered positive reviews for its heartwarming narrative, rich character development, and exploration of healing and community. Critics appreciate the portrayal of beekeeping and environmental themes. However, some found the pacing slow and certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it’s recommended for readers seeking an uplifting story.

The ideal reader for Eileen Garvin’s The Music of Bees is a fan of character-driven, heartwarming stories that delve into themes of community, healing, and personal growth. Similar to those who enjoyed Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove and Rachel Joyce's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, they appreciate narratives about unlikely friendships and second chances.

The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin is set in Hood River, Oregon, in 2014, and follows Alice, a widowed beekeeper with anxiety; Jake, an 18-year-old dealing with depression and paralysis after an accident; and Harry, a young man with social anxiety. Their lives intertwine when Jake and Harry work at Alice’s farm, improving their mental health while combating a pesticide company endangering the local bee population. The novel references mental health conditions and suicidal ideation.

Heartwarming / Inspirational / Contemplative / Hopeful / Melancholic

Eileen Garvin

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Music of Bees reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Music of Bees | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Music of Bees and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Music of Bees Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Music of Bees Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

The Music of Bees Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

The Music of Bees Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-15

The Music of Bees Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

The Music of Bees Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-26

The Music of Bees Chapters 21-26 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Music of Bees Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Music of Bees Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Music of Bees Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Music of Bees Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Music of Bees Essay Topics

The Music of Bees

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Music of Bees?

Reading Age

Book Details