He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox on August 29, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Contemporary, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
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Amanda Cox’s “He Should Have Told the Bees” is an emotional journey that weaves together themes of love, loss, and healing with exquisite prose. Cox’s storytelling captures the essence of human regret and redemption, all against the backdrop of a rural life that holds its own quiet magic. This beautifully written novel centers on beekeeper Beckett Walsh, whose life is thrown into disarray after her father’s death reveals a deeply held secret that shatters her world.
Beckett’s story is one of heartfelt regret, stemming from her father’s decision not to follow a cherished tradition known as “telling the bees.” Rooted in Celtic mythology and carried through 18th and 19th-century superstition, this practice held that beekeepers should inform their bees of major events in their lives, such as births, marriages, and deaths, to avoid inviting misfortune. Beckett is left to grapple with the weight of this omission, and the narrative explores the consequences of unspoken truths and the complex tapestry of family dynamics.
Cox’s portrayal of Beckett’s journey is both tender and poignant, capturing the profound impact of her father’s unspoken secrets on her sense of identity and belonging. The novel’s vivid descriptions of beekeeping and the rural setting create a rich atmosphere that feels almost like a character in itself, drawing readers into a world where tradition and superstition intersect with the raw realities of human life.
“He Should Have Told the Bees” is not just a tale of personal regret but also a broader meditation on how we cope with the legacies of those we love. Through Beckett’s emotional odyssey, Cox invites readers to reflect on the importance of communication, the healing power of nature, and the enduring bond between people and the land they tend. It’s a novel that lingers in the heart, beautifully illustrating that sometimes the secrets we keep can be as potent as those we reveal.
Amanda Cox’s novel is a beautifully crafted exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the delicate threads that connect us to both our past and each other. For anyone seeking a story that will touch their soul and stay with them long after the final page, “He Should Have Told the Bees” is a must-read.