40 pages 1 hour read

Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees is celebrated for its vivid storytelling, rich Southern setting, and exploration of themes like race, identity, and family. Readers praise the compelling characters and emotional depth. Some critique the plot's predictability and occasional sentimental tone. Overall, it's a poignant, impactful read that resonates with many.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Secret Life of Bees?

Readers who enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird or The Help will appreciate The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This novel appeals to those interested in coming-of-age stories, themes of racial tension, and the search for maternal love set against the backdrop of 1960s South Carolina.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

840L

Book Details

Genre
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Historical Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Topics
Race / Racism
History: World
Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Relationships: Mothers
Identity: Race