The Secret Life of Bees Book Summary

The Secret Life of Bees – Sweetness of Honey Leads to a Bitter Truth

Brief Story:

Written on the note of beekeeping, “The Secret Life of Bees” talks of an estranged connection between a girl and her reluctant father. She thinks that her dad is responsible for killing the mother. Through this novel, the American author Sue Monk Kidd highlights the era of 1964 when betrayals and interracial issues were prominent factors. This book highlights the story of a shattered girl who does not enjoy a cordial relationship with her abusive father and runs from home with her maid. Both of them reach Tiburon and meet the Boatwright sisters. From them, they learn beekeeping and the ways of making honey. In the process of learning, the girl realizes that she is connected with the Boatwright sisters as August was her nanny. Accidentally, the girl’s father reaches there and she learns the reality behind her mother’s death that shook her. 

Analyzing Several Angles of the Novel:

Character Portrayal:

“The Secret Life of Bees” highlights the story of a broken girl Lily who does not enjoy any cordial connection with her father. She elopes with her maid Rosaleen to Tiburon in South Carolina in search of the “Black Madonna”. This was one brand of honey developed by her mother Deborah before her death. On reaching Tiburon, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters – August, May, and June. She makes up a story to live with them and learn the art of beekeeping. Accidentally, one day Lilly’s father T. Ray reaches there and gets furious about her elopement. That’s the point when Lily gets to know the truth behind her mom’s death. It was she, who accidentally pulled the trigger of the gun that fell in the fight of her parents. 

Lily’s Estranged Relation with Her Abusive Dad:

Lily’s childhood was not as smooth as many other children would have. Her dad has extremely abusive behavior. In fact, he never finds time for her and exhibits treacherous behavior towards her mother too. One day, her parents were having a bad fight that resulted in a gunshot hitting her mother. Lilly was very young at that time and that incident was etched in her heart. This, further, added fuel to the fire of the father-daughter relationship. She always thought her father was the killer of her mother. 

Learning the Beekeeping Ways:

During her hunt for the “Black Madonna” label owned by her mother, Lilly developed the zest to learn beekeeping and the way honey is extracted from them. This quest landed her at the Boatwright sisters in Tiburon, South Carolina. There she learned the way of beekeeping and taking out honey from the combs. In fact, she got to know that one of the Boatwright sisters August was her Nanny and worked with her mom. On the other hand, Rosaleen started working around the house and helping them in chores. 

​