Lily Owens aka Dakota Fanning is the bee charmer i...n The Secret Life of Bees. Not really but close. Fanning plays the lead Lily with wide-eyed amazement circa a whole lots of child actors before her- we get it your cute! Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Sophie Okonedo also star in this slow but powerful movie based on the best-selling book (of the same name) by Sue Monk Kidd. No spoilers here but Purple Honey and pure passion for life. This movie will make you laugh and make you cry. Sophie Okonedo stands out as the troubled May who has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Queen Latifah shines and Alicia Keys is wonderful. Jennifer Hudson is great but Dakota Fanning crying in this movie makes you wonder-- since the tears seem so real-- what a great adult actress she may one day become- this movie puts her one step closer. The next time you see a bee buzzing around a magical flower- wonder about their secret life- there is symbolism in their somewhere!
Very pleased to find this very rea...sonably priced Audio CD Edition of one of my all time favorite books. My library has a copy but now I listen to it while I knit with no time constraints.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The “Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd... is poignant and sweet and there are plenty of little sticky parts that keep you coming back. You will want to know just how Lily’s mother was killed, why her father was so “mean” and if he always had been. You will want to know just how this seemingly serendipitous meeting of a young white girl and her African-American nanny and the three African-American sisters who take them in turns out. You will want to know more about black Madonna, race relations in the south in 1964, and, yes, the secret life of bees. One of the reviews on the jacket of the unabridged audio version says that this book was made to be listened to and I couldn't agree more. The reader, Jenna Lamia, expertly pulled off speaking personas for no less 10 than Southerners of varying sex, age, and ethnicity but she had a gem to work with too. It was really the intimacy of this story that made it the perfect “listen.” This is a heartwarming tale of resilience, spunk, and determination. I highly recommend it for young and old.
After reading The Secret Life of Bees as an... in-hand novel when it first came out, I realized recently that hearing this wonderful, warm and "new-classic" story via unabridged cd, was a "treat" I didn't want to miss...I wasn't disappointed! Cd excellent purchase -- great to hear the story while driving...I'll loan to other book-lovers, most of whom also having already read the story and loved it! The novel's characters are women not to be missed -- each one rich, unique, w/ "food for thought" re. life, what really matters, kindliness, compassion and beauty. Though the time and place were not of my personal history, the story prompted personal reflection and opportunities for greater perspective on the experiences of others through the fictional characters. For me, The Secret Life of Bees was a delightful surprise...one of those memorable books that feel like "markers" along life's way and so glad I didn't miss!
I checked this book ...out from the Library and enjoyed it so much I wanted to add a copy to my personal Library. I've really come to enjoy the convenience of audio books, If you spend a great deal of time on the road or just don't have the luxury of sitting down for a long read you can still enjoy a great book. This book, I've purchased in print and audio as well. The Secret Life Of Bees takes place in the racist south, a young girl Lilly Owens, wholost her mother at the age of four, lives with her less than interested father and a free spirited, yet loving black woman Rosaleen. Lilly has decided to set out on her own and at the same time Rosaleen gets herself into trouble with three of the local racist. The two set off on a road that leads them into the world of Bees and Black Madonna honey. The story contains tragedy, betrayal, forgiveness, friendship and love. This is a book I would highly recommend, leaves you feeling glad that you read it. Because I enjoyed this book by Sue Monk Kidd so much I read her next book the Mermaid Chair but would have to say I didn't care for the book and would not recommend it.