The Beekeeper's Pupil

by Sara George

In 1776, at the age of fifteen, Franois Huber learns he is going blind. As the darkness descends, however, his scientific curiosity develops, and he becomes obsessed with an extraordinary scientific inquiry--into the violent and sexually competitive world of the bee. He teaches his young manservant to observe in his place, and together they document their astonishing findings with extraordinary persistence and insight. Set against the scientific discoveries and libertarian ideals of the Enlightenment, as well as the dramatic and bloody events of the late 18th century, it is a story of human limitations, trust, and revelation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Nature, France, Novels

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mel]

I did my PhD on observations of beekeepers, so I loved this light, very entertaining but interesting read. Actually, I really loved it. It was a perfect way to step away from research and read the same kind of information presented in a much more engaging way! ;)

[Regina Fairbanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a particularly exciting book but very relatable for those of us who have spent many years studying insect reproduction

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at how and why bees do what they do, based on research published in the late 1700s and juxtaposed with the French Revolution. If you're not a big bee fan, you probably won't care for this book. But if you are the least bit curious, you'll like, if not love, it.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering that this book is basically about two men studying bees it was suprisingly quite interesting.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well-written story of friendship and honest companionship. This book perfectly depicts the highs and lows of a working life through the eyes of F.Burnens. We see the characters grow together in a heartwarming fashion as they are at first forced to spend all day together through work but later become reliant on their relationship. The true beauty of this book is the absolute trust that F.Huber places in his manservant and the respect they both hold for each other. The trust we see in their relationship is almost unbelievable as it is so strong, it is admirable. Anyone would aspire to have a relationship such as the characters of Huber and Burnens. Through trials and tribulations, they come to rely upon eachother and the internal conflict of Burnens towards the end presents an honest trouble that many experience- whether to be content in their life or whether to move on. To read through his perspective on the matter and see his choices and how he carries them out is bittersweet- it is beautiful in the way of character development as we see how much he has changed and even as readers, mere spectators, we are proud of him. The "bitter" part of "bittersweet" comes in as Sarah George writes Burnens' internal conflict so well that we feel it so deeply along with him and the decision he has to make is devastating, but even more heartbreaking is that we know it is for the best. We cannot criticise his character, infact we must commend him for being brave enough to make his own way in the world.

I truly loved this book and would do anything to read it for the first time again. I was brought to tears more than once, I gasped aloud, sat upright in shock. This book evoked more emotion in me than I was expecting. Seemingly in contrast to the other reviews on this book, I did not find the book overly saturated with research. I found the research was surface level while the true story lay beneath it. Sometimes it even contributed to the characters' lives outside of the bees.
Prior to reading this book, I had no true interest in research on bees but the large research element of this book did not deter me. Sarah George uses it expertly as a tool to formulate a relationship between her characters and as a way of bringing certain life lessons to the forefront of the characters' minds and of our minds.

I have not since found a book with such a pure and heartwarming platonic love and respect as I found in these characters. It took me about 50 pages to truly get into the book but I will never regret persevering.

[Dominique · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the format of this book and the bee observations were quite interesting. I particularly liked the descriptions of the little joys of daily life in the household, however, I was always waiting for something more to happen. There was nothing in this book that made me want to pick it up again after I'd put it down and so it took me ages to read. It wasn't bad, but it had me a bit disappointing.

[Kelly (miss_kellysbookishcorner) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information pertaining to bees and beekeeping, a bit of a dry read however. One thing I did particularly like was the development of both Francois'. Definitely nothing special though.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give fractions of stars, then I would have given this book a 3.5 or 3.75. Rounded up, that should be a 4 I know. Still, I enjoyed it.

[Jen Reardon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really unique story. I learned a lot of interesting facts about bees and the the 18th century scientific world.

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought a tale of scientific discovery could be so engrossing?
The giving and the taking, the balance of relationships. Fascinating.

[Karen North · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely and fascinating book if you are interested in bees.

[Carli Pienaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing read, detailed but I absolutely loved it.

[Jacoleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative....little of a slow read but interesting

[Roddie Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about the study of bees, and also a study of the human condition. Not particularly strong in terms of a plot but an interesting, relaxing read nonetheless.

[Lisa Burres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

”It seems to me that in making my way in the world I can find my path well enough through a blind man’s eyes. For though I am a countryman I’m no fool, and I know my master’s vision, whatever it is, will condition my state. Better to serve a plain blind man than one blinded by corruption or the vanity of the world.”

I have had this book on my shelf for years and had added it to my Paperback Swap books figuring I would never get to it. The title had languished on my virtual shelf for a couple of years, when someone finally said they wanted it. Then, of course, I had to read it before I let it go.

I should have read this wonderful little story long ago. First of all, it reminded me of why I am in awe of both bees and scientists. Bees and their communities are fascinating. George shows her characters trying to understand why bees do what they do – we are seeing the beginnings of apiology. Since these events are happening during the late 1700’s, many of the tools these men are using are fairly primitive. However, they don’t give up.

That brings me to the scientists, the main characters. Their actions are good examples of how the scientific method works. That may sound boring, but it isn’t George makes these historical events come alive. I don’t know what other readers might think of this tale, but I was enthralled.

Besides the bees and the scientists, I was also interested by the author’s portrayal of this French household. This novel is not about a typical French family of the period, but it was clear that George had done her homework and knew enough about the historical facts to bring them to life. I enjoyed that part also.

If you have an interest in bees, science or historical fiction, you might want to pick up this story.

[Tiffany Valdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s the most enjoyable living book to learn about bees. Story lends way to actual information about their world and behaviours. It’s clean, and though some may find it boring, my nerdy and natural science bent absolutely loved it.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a manservant who helps his blind master record information on the habits of bees. Parts of it are gross. I don't want to know about the coagulated semen found in the queen bee's vulva. Ew.

Other than disgusting descriptions about mating habits, the book describes the servant's relationship with everyone else in the house. I felt a bit irritated that there was so much more focus on the bees, rather than the servant's life.

[M. H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and well-written book. The additions of the "author" were not at all needed and usually interrupted the flow of the novel. I am fascinated by bees and this provides a lot of information on them. On a personal level it was intriguing to realize that much of what I know about bees as a matter of course is quite recent scientific information - and the travails to go through to get that information, that is quite something.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about early research into bee behavior. The main character, Francois Huber, is based on an actual naturalist who lived in Switzerland in the late 1700's. Most amazing, and based on fact, is that he depended for all his observations, experiments, dissections, etc. on a talented servant, for M. Huber was blind. This takes place against the backdrop of the French revolution. The form of the book is diary entries by the manservant, Francois Burnens.

[Mad Hron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of particular interest to bee lovers -- the sections discovering bee biology are simply fascinating. Set in the backdrop of the French revolution, the bloody politics of the times are counterpointed by the fevered intrigues, ruthless massacres and sex-filled lives of bees in the hive... Otherwise the plot is rather threadbare, but it's a fast read-- given it's in diary form.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was more about the bees than I thought it would be. It was a quick and simple read. I enjoyed reading the family dynamic but the bee parts sometimes got a little long and boring. Overall I enjoyed it.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. I learned a lot about bees, but it was much more than that, about human relationships, perseverence, overcoming disabilities, dealing with disappointment. The diary format was a very effective device and made the story immediate.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brilliant work, but heavy on the scientific. Burnens makes the arc from young man with only the thought to get away, to be somebody, to an enlightened, free-thinking man. He makes peace with his family and in the end, starts his own.

[Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. A fascinating story about a blind, French, eighteenth century beekeeper - an unusual scenario but I couldn't wait to find out what happened in the end! A light and easy read but most enjoyable.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up in the discount bookshop, not really thinking it was my kind of thing. But I did enjoy it, I learned a lot about bees anyway!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book in which you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about bees in a very palatable way that includes love interest and engaging characters.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of those books that focuses on a small slice of life. In the information age, it is intriguing to look back at a time when knowledge has to be gained by direct observation.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blind beekeeper & naturalist in 1700's Switzerland. Kept interest throughout and did a good job developing characters and relationships.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this leisurely book about a blind scientist and his assistant during the dawn of the scientific era.