Search - Bee Season

Well-researched and well-written, this novel just doesn't grip as well as it should. It falls flat in many places - particularly why Eliza is drawn so much to spelling in the first place. It's atypical of a girl her age. Goldberg doesn't explore this.

The ending leaves much to be desired, too. Not everything needs to be wrapped up, but at least something does.

Amusing at times, but had an overall inconsistent, disjointed feel. The parents came across as superficial but at least Eliza, the protagonist, was likeable.

I loved this book. I did not see the movie but the book has GOT to be better. It is not just about the girl Eliza but also her mother, father and brother in this strangely disfunctional family. They are Jewish but probably could have been any religion and you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the book. I'm going to recommend it to my book club because the characters and plot are so well developed and the writing is exquisite.

Good book, reminiscent of Anne Tyler.

I thought Bee Season was extremely thought provoking. It's a pretty out there account of "modern day family life." With deeply religious undertones, it tells the tale of a young girl's longing to be accepted by her father - their bond occurring through the study of Jewish mysticism and her knack for spelling - while the rest of her family spins out of control. Give it a try. It's pretty surprising.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!