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The Secret Life of Bees

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The Secret Life of Bees

By: Sue Monk Kidd
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
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About this listen

Don't miss the extraordinary new novel from Sue Monk Kidd, The Book of Longings - published on 21st April 2020, and available to pre-order now.

A fabulous coming-of-age debut novel that has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, and has been made into a movie starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Paul Bettany.

Lily has grown up believing she accidentally killed her mother when she was four. She not only has her own memory of holding the gun, but her father's account of the event. Now 14, she yearns for her mother, and for forgiveness. Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her father, she has only one friend: Rosaleen, a black servant whose sharp exterior hides a tender heart.

South Carolina in the '60s is a place where segregation is still considered a cause worth fighting for. When racial tension explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten, Lily is compelled to act. Fugitives from justice and from Lily's harsh and unyielding father, they follow a trail left by the woman who died 10 years before.

Finding sanctuary in the home of three beekeeping sisters, Lily starts a journey as much about her understanding of the world, as about the mystery surrounding her mother.

©2003 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2008 Penguin Audio Coming of Age Genre Fiction Literary Fiction United States World Literature Fiction Heartfelt Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Funny

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Critic reviews

"Wonderfully written, powerful, poignant, and humorous... Do read it" (Joanna Trollope)

"This is a wonderful book, by turns funny, sad, full of incident and shot through with grown-up magic reminiscent of Joanne Harris" (Daily Telegraph)
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This is my new favourite book, I could not stop listening. The story is beautifully heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The narrator brings the characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you are right there with them. I was a little sad when it ended as I wanted to know more about how their lives carried on. I will be listening again.

Spell binding

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Such a lovely read; a gentle story which draws you in with the wonderful narration. Similar in genre to To Kill a Mocking Bird. Really worth listening to. Hopefully Jenna Lamia narrates other titles.

Beautiful book with superb naration

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Wow ... What a beautiful and uplifting story. Superbly narrated with depth and feeling. The tale of a little girl coming to terms with the reality of accidentally shooting her mother and running away from her oppressive father. A really lovely read, highly recommended.

Beautiful

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I enjoyed the story and the performances were good. I felt the sadness throughout, the frustration at the challenges and enjoyed the uplifting elements of the story.

Lovely story

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Definitely the best I've listened to yet in terms or narrative, performance and story. Listen now it's a must!

Fantastic On Audible

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An intriguing story set in the early 1960s American south.
An unusual story of friendship and courage, with a very good narrator.

A beautiful story

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I think I found a new favorite! Loved every second of it, beautifully narrated too.

Lovely

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so glad that this was recommended to me by a friend. loved the reading with an authentic accent, really brought it to life.

great, great listen.

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Everything about this audible book is 5 stars. Especially the narrator. One is transported to the deep south in the 50s/60s. Rich in sadness and joy. Fulfilled and balanced.

Fulfilled

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A fabulous and moving story with lessons we can all learn. The narrator's voice transports you to South Carolina.

wonderfully immersive book

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