Sue Monk Kidd author of The Secret Life of Bees

Born and raised in the small town of Sylvester, in Southwest Georgia Lovingly refers to it as “an enduring somewhere” Influenced much of her writing in The Secret Life of Bees Loved her father’s imaginative stories Was considered a “born writer” by her English teachers Her Background

Her influences— Henry David Thoreau Kidd read Walden when she was 15 Thoreau’s spiritual memoir influenced Kidd’s eventual writings

Her Influences – Kate Chopin The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. — Kate Chopin, The Awakening (1899)The Awakening

Texas Christian University Graduated in 1970 with a nursing degree Graduated in 1970 with a nursing degree Worked throughout her twenties as a registered nurse in surgery and pediatrics Worked throughout her twenties as a registered nurse in surgery and pediatrics Also worked as a college nursing instructor Also worked as a college nursing instructor

South Carolina Husband (Sandy) taught theology at a small liberal arts college Husband (Sandy) taught theology at a small liberal arts college Raised two children, Bob and Ann Raised two children, Bob and Ann Felt the “pull” to return to writing Felt the “pull” to return to writing Enrolled in writing classes, and published a personal essay in Guideposts and Readers Digest Enrolled in writing classes, and published a personal essay in Guideposts and Readers Digest Began freelance writing to help support family Began freelance writing to help support family

Monk and poet Influenced Kidd with his views of Western spirituality Carl Jung Thomas Merton Swiss psychiatrist Impacted Kidd’s writing with his views on psychology and philosophy

Her works Took 3 ½ years to write Published in 2002 Spent over 2 years on New York Times bestseller list Sold more than 6 million copies New York Times bestseller for 9 months Sold 1.7 million copies since 2005 Her early writings that give a glimpse into her spiritual beliefs and meditations 200,000 copies in print

Secret Life of Bees Symbols and Metaphors Black Madonna Queen Bee Worker Bees Bee Keeping

Synopsis of The Secret Life of Bees The novel is set in the American South in 1964 amid racial unrest. The novel is set in the American South in 1964 amid racial unrest. It tells the coming-of-age story of Lily Owens, a white 14-year-old girl who is searching for the truth about her mother. It tells the coming-of-age story of Lily Owens, a white 14-year-old girl who is searching for the truth about her mother. Lily lives on a peach farm with her cruel father, T. Ray. Lily lives on a peach farm with her cruel father, T. Ray.

Structure of the novel The novel intertwines historical events with a study of honey bees. The novel intertwines historical events with a study of honey bees. Before each chapter, Monk Kidd includes a fact about bees’ life cycles or honey production. These are called epigraphs. Before each chapter, Monk Kidd includes a fact about bees’ life cycles or honey production. These are called epigraphs.