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The Bees: A Novel - Laline Paull
The Bees: A Novel
by: (author)
3.89 45
Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, a member of the lowest caste in her orchard hive, where work and sacrifice are the highest virtues and worship of the beloved Queen the only religion. But Flora is not like other bees. With circumstances threatening the hive's survival, her curiosity is regarded... show more
Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, a member of the lowest caste in her orchard hive, where work and sacrifice are the highest virtues and worship of the beloved Queen the only religion. But Flora is not like other bees. With circumstances threatening the hive's survival, her curiosity is regarded as a dangerous flaw, but her courage and strength are assets. She is allowed to feed the newborns in the royal nursery and then to become a forager, flying alone and free to collect nectar and pollen. A feat of bravery grants her access to the Queen's inner sanctum, where she discovers mysteries about the hive that are both profound and ominous.But when Flora breaks the most sacred law of all–daring to challenge the Queen's preeminence–enemies abound, from the fearsome fertility police who enforce the hive's strict social hierarchy to the high priestesses jealously wedded to power. Her deepest instincts to serve and sacrifice are now overshadowed by a greater power: a fierce maternal love that will bring her into conflict with her conscience, her heart, and her society–and lead her to perform unthinkable deeds.Thrilling, suspenseful, and spectacularly imaginative, The Bees and its dazzling young heroine will forever change the way you look at the world outside your window.
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Format: ebook
ISBN: 9780062331168 (0062331167)
Publisher: Ecco
Pages no: 352
Edition language: English
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Community Reviews
Chris' Fish Place
Chris' Fish Place rated it
5.0 Wow
When this book first came out, it was compared to Atwood's Handmaid's Tale. I think this is because of the reproduction theme that makes up part of the book. But such a comparison is false. It is actually an American The Hen Who Dream She Could Fly. On the surface, the story is about a bee, a ...
Just a book blog
Just a book blog rated it
3.0 The Bees
Not only was Flora 717 born into the lowest class of her society, she was also born bigger and darker than the best of them. As a sanitation bee, she is only fit to clean the hive while living to accept, obey and serve which means to do whatever is necessary for the good of the hive and the holy mot...
Love to read
Love to read rated it
4.0 Great Book
This was a wonderful book. It was almost like you forgot that you were reading about bees and started to think of them as people.
Ruined by Reading
Ruined by Reading rated it
4.0 All Abuzz
The Bees is a masterwork of world building. Set within a hive, this book follows one of the lowliest workers, Flora 717, a sanitation worker who is noticed early on as having special powers and promoted to jobs beyond her station. Flora, due to her many talents, is able to break free of the social r...
The Reading Jackalope
The Reading Jackalope rated it
4.0 The Bees: A Novel
I really enjoyed this, and it proves the point that you can make anything sympathetic if you find the common ground and then anthropomorphize the hell out of it. I did like the look into the lives of bees, from The Cluster during winter to the various tasks that each bee takes. I have a minor quibbl...
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