This was sitting in the Bismarck used bookstore, and I recalled having read it before, but I couldn't remember when. I had a positive vibe about the cover, so I thought, I'll give this one another try. It seemed the perfect summer read. And it is!
I love coming of age stories, and this one is particularly poignant and painful and hopeful. It is beautifully written. I could relate to Lily (the 14-year old whose point of view this book is written from) and her fascination with the women in the house she moves to, with their worship, and with the young man who also works at the house. The time period, 1964, against the backdrop of emerging civil rights struggles in the South, is also very appealing to me. I lived this period, but was isolated from most of the pain in California.
The characters are wonderful, real, and complex. I want to be like the patient mentor August, who gently guides Lily through her confusion and loneliness. I want to be as trusting and pure as Rosaleen and May whose hearts are good and joyful. T.Ray, Lily's abusive father is hate-worthy, but his pain is almost palpable, so I'm less inclined to judge him harshly. This story is subtle and nuanced, with wonderful analogies about bees, honey, and life. And despite the painful and tragic circumstances, the story shows that courage and goodness and humanity are abundant in this world. And of course I loved the happy ending. I would enjoy reading a sequel that lets us see Lily navigate college and the civil rights movement...
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