42:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 44:I[63625,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"AddToLibraryButton"] 45:I[29721,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ShareButton"] 46:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 47:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SignupCTA"] 3a:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-07-01T04:00:00.000Z","children":"July 1, 2026"}] 3b:["$","span",null,{"aria-hidden":true,"children":"·"}] 3c:["$","span",null,{"children":"00:20:10"}] 43:T42d,

This document contains excerpts from Sue Monk Kidd's novel, "The Secret Life of Bees," which follows the journey of Lily Owens, a fourteen-year-old girl, and Rosaleen, her Black caretaker, in the summer of 1964.

After Rosaleen is attacked for attempting to register to vote, and Lily's abusive father, T. Ray, escalates his cruelty, the two flee to Tiburon, South Carolina. There, they find sanctuary with the Boatwright sisters—August, June, and May—who are Black beekeepers.

The narrative explores themes of racial prejudice, family, healing, and self-discovery, as Lily uncovers secrets about her deceased mother and finds a new sense of belonging and maternal figures among the women.

An interview with the author provides insight into the novel's inspirations and how elements of her own life and imaginative creation shaped the story, particularly the decision for Lily to stay with the Boatwright sisters.