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  • The Secret Life of Bees

  • By: Sue Monk Kidd
  • Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
  • Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (608 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

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

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)

What listeners say about The Secret Life of Bees

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Amazing!!!

Just Amazing!!
This book makes you think about life. And appreciate what you have or what you will have.
So Amazing!!!

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2 people found this helpful

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What a beautiful book!

The best word I can think of is sweet - funny that it's linked to bees. A beautiful story, beautifully written - I couldn't fault the construction. And the reading is perfect for the voice of the 14 year old child who is narrating it. I cried a lot reading this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant Story

I loved this book. Easy to listen too. The narration is fantastic. Lovely story that leaves you thinking.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fabulous narration, wonderful story

I have read this book before but Jenna Lamia brings it to life with her excellent narration. My favourite audiobook thus far. Thank you!

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Moving and poignant

A great insight into the world of a young persons psyche, their search for their mother within themselves they can rely on for the rest of their lives. The narrator was perfect for this book (once I got used to it).

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A gentle yet satisfying book

I enjoyed this book and I particularly appreciated the narration. Accents can greatly enhance a story, particularly when they are not familiar to the listener.

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Beautiful story...

If you love a beautiful story with love, tragedy and a laugh and cry story this is for you. Read so nicely it's calming one of my favourites. Enjoy

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Loved it!!!

Just had to keep listening
Such an emotional book of recovering a little girl past and standing up for herself

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Fantastic narration. Great story

Narrator captured the characters perfectly. The story was beautifully written and had me hooked from start to finish.

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Beautiful. Heartfelt. Coming of age.

I loved this. It was wonderfully performed and the story was beautiful. Highly Recommended!

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