Why is it that every woman that I know seems to rave about The Secret Life of Bees? On one hand, it is compelling story that takes a poignant look at racism through the eyes of a fourteen year old child. On the other hand, the sentimentality is almost choking at times.

Monk strives to make the protagonist, Lily Owens, capture your heart, but when I put down the book, I put down Lily Owens as well. I like characters that get under my skin and keep me awake at night, but so much of this book was unrealistic and over-romanticized that I found it difficult to delve below the surface.

The highlight for me was the bee factoids, which prefaced each chapter, illustrating how bees act as a metaphor for life. I thought this was an incredibly interesting and original look at the lives of bees. Overall, it’s a lighthearted and inventive story that, despite its flaws, is a worthy read.