Preview
  • The Secret Life of Bees

  • By: Sue Monk Kidd
  • Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
  • Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (8,001 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Secret Life of Bees

By: Sue Monk Kidd
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed.

When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother", Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina - a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There, they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household.

This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love - a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

©2003 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2008 Penguin
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Secret Life of Bees

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6,066
  • 4 Stars
    1,378
  • 3 Stars
    389
  • 2 Stars
    87
  • 1 Stars
    81
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,731
  • 4 Stars
    775
  • 3 Stars
    188
  • 2 Stars
    38
  • 1 Stars
    53
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,203
  • 4 Stars
    1,061
  • 3 Stars
    348
  • 2 Stars
    79
  • 1 Stars
    61

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

This is a great book. It is a wonderful story and I love the way the narrator reads it. The movie is really good, and I saw it first, but the book is so much better - as is usually the case.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Secret Life of Bees

This audio book is delightful and inspiring. I enjoyed the gentle rhythm of the book. This is a presentation of powerful women who live a life of integrity and wisdom.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

"All those Mommas..."

This is a lovely story, the color of golden honey. I actually listened to the whole thing in one day. A beautiful, fistful of unconditional love. I highly recommend it, especially if you're home alone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Secret Lives

We all have secret lives - but there is a universality of humanity that makes us all the same. Their is a beautiful poignancy about this book that takes me back to haunt my own childhood. The narrator does such an exquisite job that it genuinely feels as if Lily is telling her own story with the beautiful simplicity of a 14 year old girl struggling to survive in an all too common reality.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVE Jenna Lamia

Listened to this book prior to watching the movie. I loved it! Loved Lily's character and the entertainment of the Boatwright sisters. I'm a sucker for southern pre WWII stories. Wonderful depiction of a summer in the south.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected depth

I didn't know what to expect when I began listening to the Secret Lives of Bees. What a story unfolded! I didn't expect to be drawn in to this story in many ways. But... I was.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Writing!

I loved the bare thoughts coming from Lily; the authentic and loving August. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptive writing. Though I don't believe in their form of worship, I loved that these women were so devoted to it, and so strong. I was pulled in and became part of this group of women, feeling their joys and sorrows and aching. The audible performance was perfect.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An absolutely beautiful book!

I love this narrator and every book she narrates comes to life in the most wonderful way! This book was an uplifting story of finding your way which we all can relate to. Beautifully written one of my top ten favorites!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Love Jemma Lamia as she tends to bring anything she reads to life. The book was great and I am now looking forward to seeing the movie.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Review

This book was soooo amazing, I cried at the end, and at other parts, because it was so good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!