The Secret Life of Bees: Then and Now

Anderson University will present a series of public programs about Sue Monk Kidd’s famous novel The Secret Life of Bees in March and April 2011. Sue Monk Kidd will be the speaker at the university’s Mims Lecture Series on March 29, 2011. SC Humanitieshelped support this project through a Major Grant in September 2010.

The Secret Life of Bees rose to national prominence after its publication in 2002. The book tells the story of a young white girl in South Carolina in the 1960s who finds refuge with a family of black sisters and deals with many aspects of South Carolina history and culture, including race, gender, folklore, religion, and ethics. In addition to presenting author Sue Monk Kidd in a special public lecture, Anderson University staff have developed a series of public programs that will investigate this interesting piece of literature and its view of South Carolina history.

A full schedule of public events is listed below:

March 21 | 5:00 p.m.
Discussion of The Secret Life of Bees
Iva Branch Book Club
Iva Branch Library (Anderson County Library System), 203 W. Cruette Street, Iva, 29655
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-348-6150

March 23 | 12:00 p.m.
Discussion of The Secret Life of Bees
Brown Bag Book Club – Anderson County Library
Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie Street, Anderson, 29621
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-260-4500, x103

March 24 | 6:00 p.m.
Discussion of The Secret Life of Bees
Pendleton Branch Book Club
Pendleton Branch (Anderson County Library System), 650 S. Mechanic Street, Pendleton, 29670
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-646-3045

 

March 27 | 3:00 p.m.
Public lecture and discussion of The Secret Life of Bees
Led by Anderson University faculty and moderated by Ms. Sarah Sprague
Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie Street, Anderson, 29621
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-231-2004

March 29 | 7:00 p.m.
Mims Lecture Series Presents Sue Monk Kidd
Henderson Auditorium, Anderson University, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, 29621
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-231-2004

April 3 | 3:00 p.m.
Film Screening of The Secret Life of Bees
Followed by discussion led by Anderson University faculty member
Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie Street, Anderson, 29621
Free and open to the public
Info: 864-231-2004

Additionally, Dr. Shirley Jacks from the university will lead discussions comparing The Secret Life of Bees to Dori Sanders’ Clover at Anderson Learning in Retirement on each of the five Wednesdays in March. Registration fees for these programs are nominal.

For more information about “The Secret Life of Bees: Then and Now,” contact Dr. Shirley Jacks at 864-231-2156.

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. SC Humanities programs and initiatives are balanced, reflecting sensitivity to the diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations.