DEATH
OF BEES
By
Lisa O’Donnell
Genre:
Women’s Lives and Relationships
Publication
Date: 2013
Number
of Pages: 336
Summary
Death
of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell, the author’s debut novel, is the story
of Marnie who, along with her little sister Nelly, is trying to survive on her
own after burying their parents in the backyard when one day they find them dead.
The Glasgow teenager has one more year to hide her parents deaths until
she will be of legal age to get custody of her nine-year-old sister. As they
live in squalor, a neighbor unexpectedly takes them under his wing until the
relatives start asking questions. These girls, who have had a less-than-healthy
family life, start to build an uncommon family unit while building unforeseen
trusts. But will it all fall apart before Marnie turns sixteen?
Subject Headings:
Sisters
Orphans
Neighbors
Family
Secrets
Three terms that describe this book:
Reflects
issues affecting women’s lives
The main issue in this story is lack of parenting and general safety for two young girls by a mother and a father who were drug addicts. However, there are other issues that affect women that are represented here as well such as domestic abuse, mental health, suicide, marital infidelity and pedophilia.
Setting is contemporary
The setting is modern day Glasgow in low-income housing.
The main issue in this story is lack of parenting and general safety for two young girls by a mother and a father who were drug addicts. However, there are other issues that affect women that are represented here as well such as domestic abuse, mental health, suicide, marital infidelity and pedophilia.
Setting is contemporary
The setting is modern day Glasgow in low-income housing.
Familiar, intimate tone; changes in tone
This story is told in a way that engages the reader with an everyday feel to the language. The tone changes slightly depending on who the narrator is; Marnie, Nelly or Lennie, the neighbor.
Read-A-likes
The Silver Star
by Jeanette Walls
Housekeeping by
Marilynne Robinson
Ellen Foster
by Kaye Gibbons
The Summer of Naked Swim Parties
by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Lucky Us
by Amy Bloom
Whoa, this book sounds deep. Your summary of the book explained just enough of the plot without giving anything major away. I definitely going to add this to my reading list!
ReplyDeleteThis book does sound really deep. I cannot imagine what these two went through, and at such a young age. I think I will have to add this to my list too. Great annotation!
ReplyDeleteWould this book have appeal for people outside of the Women's relationship's genre? It sounds a little bit of something I can't quite find a name for. Cozy horror maybe?
ReplyDelete"Cozy horror!" You've summed up just what I was thinking, Paula. The cover art does give off that vibe.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book, and I like the international appeal of a setting in Glasgow. The thought of the girl being 15 and achieving majority age at 16 seems so young compared to the American system of 18 being the required age of majority. You say the language is very "everyday"... was that with Scottish colloquialisms or was it written with American slang? I had not heard of this or the suggested authors, so this is definitely something to check out. Nice annotation.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of the "cozy horror" name for this book--that's exactly what it sounds like! Burying their parents' bodies in the backyard sounds horrifying!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad so many of you are interested in this book. I really did enjoy it and it's a pretty easy read. It's funny, though, the content may suggest horror but it really isn't at all. It's much more an unfortunate story where you feel sorry for the girls but your heart is warmed by relationships they make because of their situation.
ReplyDeleteExcellent annotation! Full points!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely adding this to my "to-read" list! I'd never heard of it before. I usually like plots that involve sisters taking care of each other, and this sounds like it also builds a suspenseful atmosphere as well. I think the common assumption is that Women's Lives means "chick lit", but this book doesn't seem to fit that vibe at all, and could be one that you could recommend as a "branch out" book, to get readers into Women's Lives who hadn't explored the genre before.
ReplyDeleteThe Death of Bees is not a title or book that I would personally choose for myself. However I like the way you wrote your annotation which makes me want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteTenisha M.