The Secret Life of Bees

Set in South Carolina during 1964, 'The Secret Life of Bees' tells the story of fourteen-year-old Lily Owens, whose life is shaped by the blurred memory of her mother's death.

After her nanny, Rosaleen, is arrested for insulting racists, Lily and Rosaleen escape to Tiburon, South Carolina, in search of a new life.

They are taken in by three black beekeeping sisters—August, May, and June—who worship the Black Madonna.

The novel explores themes of mothers, love, conviction, and forgiveness as Lily navigates her past, her prejudices, and her newfound sense of belonging.

It is a powerful story about the healing power of love and the divinity of the female spirit.