
Release Date: Reprint edition (August 20, 2008)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 302
Source: Library (borrow)
Genre: Book to Movie Adaptations, Historical Fiction
Review Date: May 29, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
This book was full of strong, intelligent women. Starting with young Lily, though she is young and inexperienced in the world, she is a very strong little girl. Lilly runs from her abusive father, T.Ray and rescues her nanny Rosaleen from jail and takes off. A photo of a black Madonna leads Lilly and Rosaleen to Tiburon South Carolina where August and her two sisters take them in.
Lily is wise beyond her years and learns a lot from the Boatwright sisters, August, May and June. Ultimately, I feel this story is mostly about Lily's search to find out about her mother, Deborah. Along with the knowledge of her mother's past, she finds many mothers. Many women who love her. She finds love within herself and she also finds strength through Mary, as the Daughters of Mary call her, "Our Lady In Chains". I liked how August was able to use the bees way of life to explain how things are to Lily. She also used a few stories to help Lily understand life and the world better. August not only loved Lily's mother, she loved Lily as well. August was the matriarch of her family and took care of many. I would have loved to know someone as wise as her.
I read this book in two sittings, it was very enjoyable and fast paced. I cared about the characters and have only the best feelings about all of the women in the book. Even though the end wasn't exactly happy go lucky per se, it left me with a feeling of contentment. I have a strong hope that the "Calendar Sisters" and all of the other women (including Lily)in this story will get their happily ever after.