First published 2002
Haunted by the blurred memory of her mother's death, Lily Owens escapes her oppressive life with her caregiver, Rosaleen. They find refuge with three eccentric beekeeping sisters in the town of Tiburon, where Lily begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding her mother. As she immerses herself in the sisters' world of honey, bees, and the Black Madonna, Lily discovers the transformative power of female community and the courage to confront the truth about her past.
Genres: fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, family-drama, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, grief, secrets
Setting: South Carolina, Tiburon
Period: 20th-century
384 pages · Paperback · Headline Library Hardbacks