Tell it to the Bees

There’s something about bees, hives, and honey which is redolent with symbols of industry, sweetness, and healing. Fiona Shaw’s eponymous Tell it to the Bees is a story which has all three. But it also contains their opposites. There’s the bitterness and indolence of spirit of Lydia’s husband Robert and his doting vitriolic sister Pam, the physical sickness and traumas suffered by Lydia, the joyful energy – and at the same time misery – of Lydia and Robert’s eight-year-old son Charlie, and the professional integrity of GP Dr Jean Markham which is tested to its limits. Things are not well in the 1950s working-class home of Charlie’s mum and dad. It’s kitchen sink drama, and before long the sink is metaphorically hurled right into Lydia’s lap when emotionally immature husband Robert takes up with manicure and pointed bra-sporting Irene. But help is at hand in the form of Dr Jean Markham, who by coincidence has already taken Charlie under her wing and is there to provide more than a shoulder for Lydia to cry on. Things begin to look hopeful for Lydia and Jean, and boat-sailing muddy-kneed Charlie who has found what must be the queen of hobbies – helping Dr Jean with her bee-keeping. But very dark clouds indeed are on the horizon, and to find out whether or how these might clear you will have to read to the very end! It soon becomes apparent that the novel is about a same-sex relationship and its multifarious implications – specifically in the 1950s. And so, as I was reading, I asked myself the question; ‘if it was the same plot but the two main protagonists were heterosexual then what makes this novel different?’ There are at least two answers to that. First off is Shaw’s masterly ability in communication - to describe the spaces between people, in particularly Lydia and her lover Jean, and Lydia and Charlie. Some great phrases; ‘the air was charged with relief and anticipation, as if they were living in the calm before and beyond the storm.’ Meanwhile, Charlie – in his new totally loving environment – is living so much in the present he can’t begin to think what tomorrow might bring. It made me recall what it felt like – good and bad – to be a child! The second answer is when Lydia's trying to make sense of her marriage to Robert ‘…but I wouldn’t have had Charlie,’ and the reader might well multiply that reasoning across all the failed marriages and relationships-gone-wrong in the world. Each child is unique.

This had me completely absorbed from start to finish hard to put down.Beautifully woven story reminding us of a very different time than ours when so much we now take for granted was illegal or not acceptable.Completely believable scenarios and strong characters carry the reader along. The love between the two women is sustained despite all the real barriers and prejudices of the time.An accurate and compelling account of its time and well worth a read.

SPOILERSAfter reading that the film had changed the ending of the book, I decided to read the original instead. In my opinion, it takes a while to pick up, taking its time to set out the situations of both protagonists (the loneliness of one vs the failing marriage of the other one). It is worth it once they finally meet and everything comes together.

loved this book stylishly written , the prose was like pure honey sweet smooth and seductive , drawing you in and making each page turn a delight .

I’ve read a lot of lesbian literature but this is by far one of my favourite books ever! I adore the love story woven in between the real issues of the time the book was set. It’s so good I really do recommend. As for the product itself, was in great condition and came quicker than expected!