I'm not really completely sure how I feel about Secret Life of Bees. I didn't hate it, but I didn't really love it either. After seeing the movie years ago, I've thought about the book regularly, and I'm glad I was able to finally read it. From what I remember of the movie, I don't think it deviated from the book terribly much. Obviously Lily's physical appearance changed, since she and her mother had black hair, but that's Hollywood for you.
I loved that Lily ended up having so many women care for her and become her mothers. It was great that she was able to get away from T-Ray once and for all. August is a woman full of wisdom that I would love to know. Everything she was able to tell Lily about her mother was a great way for Lily to know her mother. Finding out that her mother had indeed left her, even though it was a severe case of depression from the way August described, was pretty hard for Lily. It sucks to have to deal with that knowledge, and the knowledge that T-Ray could indeed be right in that Lily was the one who killed her mother, even if it was an accident.
The moment May died was pretty sad. I felt bad for all of them losing someone they loved so much. Rosaleen seemed to have found a friend who she could lean on. Lily had someone who told her, with actions, things about her mother. I do wish June might have been able to tell Lily some about her mother, but the way August explained things, June was unlikely to say anything nice about Deborah.
Overall, the incorporation of Lady Mary and the Beekeeping made me feel like Lily was on a spiritual journey. Whenever Lily was out helping with the bees, I got the impression of something therapeutic going on. It was amazing how much honey was incorporated into their lives, even when it came to Lady Mary. I found the most poignant moment was August telling Lily, "Not to love- to persist in love." That was evident with the way August treated everything. She was a strong woman, but she loved deeply.
August really good at letting Lily come to her instead of forcing her to talk when she wasn't ready. Lily's growth into just seeing everyone and not by color was definitely a moment I liked. I have to admit, I really liked Zach and Lily's relationship, especially when he said one day he was going to come back then they'd be together. That had me rooting for them. There's a lot to overcome for them that way.
So, I'm still not sure about how I feel towards the book. I do want to re-watch movie to see how close to the book it is.
I loved that Lily ended up having so many women care for her and become her mothers. It was great that she was able to get away from T-Ray once and for all. August is a woman full of wisdom that I would love to know. Everything she was able to tell Lily about her mother was a great way for Lily to know her mother. Finding out that her mother had indeed left her, even though it was a severe case of depression from the way August described, was pretty hard for Lily. It sucks to have to deal with that knowledge, and the knowledge that T-Ray could indeed be right in that Lily was the one who killed her mother, even if it was an accident.
The moment May died was pretty sad. I felt bad for all of them losing someone they loved so much. Rosaleen seemed to have found a friend who she could lean on. Lily had someone who told her, with actions, things about her mother. I do wish June might have been able to tell Lily some about her mother, but the way August explained things, June was unlikely to say anything nice about Deborah.
Overall, the incorporation of Lady Mary and the Beekeeping made me feel like Lily was on a spiritual journey. Whenever Lily was out helping with the bees, I got the impression of something therapeutic going on. It was amazing how much honey was incorporated into their lives, even when it came to Lady Mary. I found the most poignant moment was August telling Lily, "Not to love- to persist in love." That was evident with the way August treated everything. She was a strong woman, but she loved deeply.
August really good at letting Lily come to her instead of forcing her to talk when she wasn't ready. Lily's growth into just seeing everyone and not by color was definitely a moment I liked. I have to admit, I really liked Zach and Lily's relationship, especially when he said one day he was going to come back then they'd be together. That had me rooting for them. There's a lot to overcome for them that way.
So, I'm still not sure about how I feel towards the book. I do want to re-watch movie to see how close to the book it is.
I have never seen the movie actually, I would be interested to see how the adaptation was from page to movie. But I'm the same way I enjoyed the book, but I didn't find it life affirming or changing.
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