The Secret Life of Bees

Interesting Facts

• The novel is set in 1964 South Carolina, against the backdrop of the civil rights movement.
• The main character, Lily Owens, runs away from home to learn more about her deceased mother.
• Bees and beekeeping play a significant symbolic role in the novel, reflecting themes of motherhood, community, and spiritual growth.
• The novel explores complex racial relationships, particularly between white and Black women in the Southern United States.
• The book was adapted into a film of the same name in 2008, starring Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah.
• The novel contains a strong feminist undertone, highlighting the strength and independence of women.