The ‘Secret Life’ lives on
Maryjane Bowyer
“The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd is one of those books that never gets old. That might be why six years after its original release, Hollywood has decided to re-create the story of Lily Melissa Owens, her mean-spirited father, and the search for her mother, who died tragically when Lily was only four.
“The Secret Life of Bees” takes place in South Carolina, on Lily’s father’s peach farm, where abuse and hostility run rampant.
Rarely does a day go by when Lily isn’t beaten, yelled at, or subject to some sort of extreme and cruel punishment.
Her only friend seems to be Rosaleen, a large black woman hired by Lily’s father, and her only solace is in books, which have been banned by her father.
Lily would often sneaks books into the peach fields only to be beaten and scolded for it later.
Throughout “The Secret Life of Bees”, she searches for the truth about her mother’s death, and encounters several strong females.
Although the book may seem to be a guy-bashing novel, it is truly just an inspirational novel with strong and courageous women at its core.
It has feminist values buried deep within the text that lend an encouraging hand to young women around the world.
“The Secret Life of Bees” also has a racial spin, as the book takes place in the middle of the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina.
Its depiction of racism in the South is eye-opening at the least.
The novel has many deep rooted themes that are universally understood and embraced. It is no wonder “The Secret Life of Bees” was a best-seller and is now being made into a Hollywood film.
This book, more than any other I have read, encourages young women to follow their dreams and to do what they know is right, despite the circumstances.
Lily faces troubles that most young women today could never dream of, and for that reason I would highly recommend this book.
It teaches life lessons about being strong, and having values.
The book was a hit after its original release in 2002 and hopefully the Hollywood depiction will not disappoint avid “Bees” supporters.
