Play Book Tag discussion

Lily Owens lives in South Carolina with her abusive father and black servant, Rosaleen. When the law is passed allowing black people to vote this doesn't go down well in their community and Rosaleen gets into trouble going to register. Running away from home, Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by the Boatwright sisters and set to work in their honey business. From August Boatwright Lily learns about bees and about her deceased mother who had also lived on the honey farm for a time.

This book touches on several themes; civil rights in the 1960s, mental illness, domestic abuse and, of course, growing up without a mother. However, even with all that going on, it was lovely to read and I flew through the first half without stopping. Plus the information about bees is fascinating. I've dropped a star because I didn't feel the second half flowed as well and the ending seemed a little unlikely to me.

I enjoyed the movie as well.

This is is wonderful book. The movie doesn't cover as much but it's still very good. I find bees fascinating even though they keep us from eating dinners outside. (I had an allergic reaction to my last sting. )

I saw part of the film again this year and I was surprised to see Jennifer Hudson (singer, coach on The Voice) playing Rosalee.