I've been wanting to read this book for a while, even before it was made into a film. I'm glad to say it was worth the wait.
Based in the late 1950s, a time of fraught racial inequality, the story is told by Lily Evans, a white fourteen-year-old girl who is haunted by a guilty secret: she is accidentally responsible for her mother's death. Mistreated by her father for most of her life, one day she finally has enough and runs away, along with her black fugitive housekeeper, Rosaleen. Unsure of where to go, she decides to follow the clues given by a curious picture that belonged to her late mother. As a result, she ends up at the bright pink house of the black Boatwright bee-keeping sisters- May, June and August- whose tenderness and life lessons help her to slowly reveal her inner demons, and finally discover her own true identity. She particularly takes comfort in 'Our Lady In Chains', a black female wooden statue passed down from slavery times under remarkable circumstances. Worshiped by the Catholic Boatwright sisters as a 'Black Mary' figure, she represents what Lily craves most- motherly protection and freedom.
Although the slow unveiling of Lily's secret keeps you hooked, the novel's joy lies in its kooky, colourful characters. August, the oldest Boatwright sister, seems to have unlimited wisdom and warmth; along with Lily, I felt comforted every time she entered the page. The Daughters of Mary, fellow worshipers of 'Our Lady In Chains', were incredibly vivid and always made me smile, with their crazy hats and sparkly personalities. Although at times showing typical teenage angst and selfishness, on the whole Lily is aware of her own shortcomings. Choosing her as a narrator allows us to see beyond her bratty behaviour, and realise that beyond her anguish, she is a good person with a deep desire to change. This begins with her acknowledging the innate racist impressions she- and many of her time- has of black people, which is soon contradicted and overturned by the kindness of both the Boatwright sisters and Zach, August's handsome black teenage helper and Lily's crush. June's prickly behaviour towards Lily allows us to see racism from the other side, while May's deep grief allows an insight into the troubled history of the Boatwright sisters.
Just like one of August's honey-wax candles, this book is slow-burning, but emits a warm, comforting glow. Bees are an appropriate symbol to permeate the novel- the sting of August's home truths will be buzzing in your ears for a while after you put the book down. Lily's struggle to better herself in spite of what life has thrown at her is truly inspiring, and something that everybody, in every walk-of-life, can relate to.
Right now I am reading Paulo Coelho's Veronika Decides To Die, which so far seems like quite a departure from The Alchemist. Will be back to review that in the near future!
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