The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

[Tera]

Sue Monk Kidd's first book and I think her best to date. It reminded me of a twist on Huck Finn. It takes place in the racially charged south in the early 60's. The story covers many issues but the backdrop is the story between a young girl and her black housekeeper when they run away together.
They are currently making a movie of this book with Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifa, Alycia Keys and Jennifer Hudson. With a great book and this cast I don't see how they can screw up (but you never know).

[Joanie]

I loved this book, it was so sad and so good. I have to disagree with you on the casting for the movie-I can't imagine anything more dreadful than that cast! Those women are all too young to play the sisters in the book and Dakota Fanning is too cutesy for what I pictured. Ughh!

[Kristy]

Oooooh - I loooove Queen Latifah!!! I loved the book and always like to see a well made movie of books I've enjoyed. Too bad there aren't many of them!!

Hmmm, "cutesy" isn't a word I usually associate Dakota Fanning with! I've always thought she was an odd looking kid! They can "ugly" all of the women up, I'm sure (think Oprah in The Color Purple, EEK!).

[Jackie]

I love this book. I think everyone in the cast will do a good job, all are excellent actresses, with the exception of Alicia Keys. I saw her in the Dove series and she wasn't very convincing.

I'm posting because I got an email today from Borders Rewards and this book and the movie is featured in the email. If anyone wants to see the movie clip let me know so I can forward the email. It has the world premiere clip and an interview w/ the author. Unfortunately, I'm at work right now so I can't see it. =/

[The Flooze]

It's funny, because I read this book and could NOT understand all the hype. I thought it was very slow moving and didn't fully deliver on its promising premise. To each their own, but I would not pick up another book by her and wouldn't recommend it to friends.

[Magpie67]

Brilliant Prose! 5 Star rating and seriously don't understand why this one wasn't on Oprah's list. I did not see any hype on this book when I read it a few years back, but either way I would have loved it. The historical value alone on voting was sensational!

No preference on the casting just as long as it compliments the story by the author.

[Melissa]

I enjoyed this book, but after seeing the movie a month or so ago, for me, this is one case that the movie was better than the book. They did a great casting job in the movie. They were able to get the emotion and tension in the movie that I couldn't muster up from the book. It's such a great story, but I felt the writing didn't do it justice. I was glad the movie was able to tell the story so well.

[Penny]

Another tearjerker!! I thought the book and the movie were excellent.

[Trisha]

somehow I'd never made it to this book during its hype either for the book or movie (I don't even know how the movie did!). I guess I normally steer clear of chick-lit/popular books....That's what I love about this group! I would have never read this book if it hadn't been a part of our list. I thought the book did a great job of the turmoil of a young girl and yet the angst didn't overrun her world. If only we all had an August to run to when times got rough!

[Magpie67]

I loved this book so much that I'm afraid to even watch the show. I hate to have it ruined.

[Gini]

Magpie67 wrote: "I loved this book so much that I'm afraid to even watch the show. I hate to have it ruined."

I thought they did a pretty good job with the movie, though as always the book is better.

[Jackie]

I haven't seen the movie, but I loved the book.

[EJ]

Magpie67 wrote: "I loved this book so much that I'm afraid to even watch the show. I hate to have it ruined."

I think you will enjoy the movie. I think they did a very good job.