Sue Monk Kidd - The Secret Life of Bees

This is a review by Barbara Simpson:
This story is set in the deep south of America in the early 1960's when the civil rights movement was really taking off. Lily lives with her harsh, unforgiving father on a peach farm and is raised by their black servant, Rosaleen. Lilys mum died when Lily was 4 years old, she was shot and killed in a freak accident, and she feels responsible for her death.
When Lily is 14 years old the 'Blacks' got the right to vote, provided they could sign their name. Rosaleen goes into town to vote but gets insulted & goaded by a group of white men and she ends up badly beaten in hospital. Lily gets her out and they run away together. All Lily has with her are her treasured few possessions, reminders of her mother. In these possessions is a label from a honey farm in South Georgia, this draws them to the place. Lily and Rosaleen stay on the farm which is run by the black, calendar sisters, May, June and August.
Lily discovers there is a link with her mother and the farm and gradually learns about her past and bee keeping.
I absolutely loved this book. It is a superb story, beautifully written and full of atmosphere. You also learn so much about bees and beekeeping throughout the book. It was an absolute sheer delight and I can't wait to see the film.