The Beginning

The book I have chosen is called “The Secret Life of Bees,” written by Sue Monk Kidd.  So far I am about half way through the novel and I am in love with it.  It is a very intriguing story of a girl trying to find herself and discover who her mother really was. 

The story is narrated from 14-year old Lily’s point of view.  She lives with her horrible father, who she calls T. Ray, as she feels dad does not suit him.  Her very first and only memory of her mother was when she was cleaning out her closet.  T. Ray and Lily’s mother were fighting and her mother grabbed a gun in self defense.  The gun was dropped and 4 year old Lily grabbed the gun off the floor.  As she was handing it to her mother the gun fired and her mother was killed. 

On Lily’s 14^th birthday their maid, Rosaleen, took Lily to town with her.  Rosaleen was black but wanted to sign up to vote.  A group of white men attacked her, calling names and kicking her.  When she tried to fight back the police were called, Rosaleen was arrested and T. Ray had to pick Lily up from the station.  T. Ray was extremely angry and beat Lily, and Lily knew it was time for her to leave town.  She broke Rosaleen out of jail and they escaped to Tiburon, South Carolina.  Lily chose this location because the only thing she had of her mother’s was a picture of a black Mary with the name of this city written on the back.   

When the pair finally reached the heart of Tiburon they stopped at a variety store.  They had no idea where they would go from here but needed food.  Here, Lily saw a jar of honey with a picture of the black Mary.  They got directions to the honey farm and travelled there.  Once they reached the house they met the Boatwright sisters, August, June, and May.  Lily said that her parents had recently passed away and they were looking for their aunt and just passing by.  August welcomed them in to their home and Rosaleen and Lily were invited to stay for as long as they would want.    

            I am really enjoying this novel.  There is a lot of racism in the story so far, and I have a feeling more is to come as Lily, who is a white child, is living with four black women.  I hope the story continues to be amazing and eye opening.