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Like Bees to Honey
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Product Description
Review
Praise for Like Bees to Honey:
“Haunting, heartfelt and beautiful’ CHRIS CLEAVE, author of THE OTHER HAND and INCENDIARY
Praise for Caroline Smailes’ previous books:
“There is little in the way of relief in this harrowing first novel, but Smailes’ sensitivity towards her subjects – and the poetry of her writing – carry the story.” FINANCIAL TIMES
“A unique, exciting and unforgettable read.” RAY ROBINSON, author of ELECTRICITY
“In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes, a stunning insight into the disturbed mind of a girl living in the North-East. It has re-defined what writing can do for the reader – it can change the way you look at people.” TERRY DEARY, author of HORRIBLE HISTORIES (yes we know, an odd one but he loved it)
“Black Boxes is the best novel I have read all year. I laughed, I cried and I cried some more. And came away a changed person.” AMERICAN JOURNAL
Product Description
‘Haunting, heartfelt and beautiful’ CHRIS CLEAVE
Nina, her son Christopher in tow, flies to Malta for one last visit with her aging parents.
Her previous attempt to see them ended in tears. Disowned for falling pregnant while at university in England, she was not allowed into the house.
This will be her final chance to make her peace with them.
But Malta holds more secrets and surprises than Nina could possibly imagine. What she finds is not the land of her youth, a place full of memories and happiness. Instead she meets dead people. Lots of them.
Malta, it transpires, is a transit lounge for recently deceased spirits and somehow Christopher enables her to see them, speak with them and help them.
And, in return, they help Nina come to terms with her own loss. One so great that she has yet to admit it to herself.
Like Bees to Honey is a story of family, redemption and ghosts. It is a magical tale that will live with you long after you finish reading.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Today, I got Like Bees to Honey in the mail.
Tonight, I finished reading Like Bees to Honey.
I only got it because a publisher friend of mine recommended it on Facebook - and because it was written by an English author, despite being set in Malta. I was not prepared for the story that followed, or for the emotions it evoked in me.
I originally thought this would be a cheap ghost story (for which Malta has the perfect setting, what with the spooky churches and deserted roads), but this is not the case. Nina, the main character, is desperately sad, consumed by a certain loss, that she is seemingly driving herself mad. She feels like she has no reason to live.
And this enables her to see spirits; to speak to them. And whilst Nina is travelling (via rickety yellow bus!) to some of her favourite childhood places in Malta from her parents' home in Valletta, we get to see her explore her grief, explore herself, and explore her roots.
What's most interesting about the book, however, is the way it presents Malta as a dusty haven, filled with lovely smells, traditional values, and strong family ties. For example- anyone who has visited Malta knows that upon landing, you get to see the arrivals lounge, filled with waving families. This scene makes up one of the book's key introductory moments.
The author lets Maltese characters use Maltese words like 'qalbi', 'pupa', and even full sentences throughout the novel. Nina, having lived in England for many years, translates these words and phrases mentally every time they occur, which leads to a very neat way of combining two languages for the reader. This play of tongues is woven into the theme of identity - how far away do you have to be from your family, in order to stop being who you were?
This novel has hit home for me.
For the past five years, I have struggled with having left Malta. I have struggled with keeping my identity, with staying Maltese, with a changing landscape, and with changed personal values. These are all things that are addressed very precisely in the first few chapters of this book. And the way these are presented.. I can only praise the author for her deep understanding of Maltese culture.
I don't normally recommend books - but here's one you should add to your collection.. without hesitation!
Tonight, I finished reading Like Bees to Honey.
I only got it because a publisher friend of mine recommended it on Facebook - and because it was written by an English author, despite being set in Malta. I was not prepared for the story that followed, or for the emotions it evoked in me.
I originally thought this would be a cheap ghost story (for which Malta has the perfect setting, what with the spooky churches and deserted roads), but this is not the case. Nina, the main character, is desperately sad, consumed by a certain loss, that she is seemingly driving herself mad. She feels like she has no reason to live.
And this enables her to see spirits; to speak to them. And whilst Nina is travelling (via rickety yellow bus!) to some of her favourite childhood places in Malta from her parents' home in Valletta, we get to see her explore her grief, explore herself, and explore her roots.
What's most interesting about the book, however, is the way it presents Malta as a dusty haven, filled with lovely smells, traditional values, and strong family ties. For example- anyone who has visited Malta knows that upon landing, you get to see the arrivals lounge, filled with waving families. This scene makes up one of the book's key introductory moments.
The author lets Maltese characters use Maltese words like 'qalbi', 'pupa', and even full sentences throughout the novel. Nina, having lived in England for many years, translates these words and phrases mentally every time they occur, which leads to a very neat way of combining two languages for the reader. This play of tongues is woven into the theme of identity - how far away do you have to be from your family, in order to stop being who you were?
This novel has hit home for me.
For the past five years, I have struggled with having left Malta. I have struggled with keeping my identity, with staying Maltese, with a changing landscape, and with changed personal values. These are all things that are addressed very precisely in the first few chapters of this book. And the way these are presented.. I can only praise the author for her deep understanding of Maltese culture.
I don't normally recommend books - but here's one you should add to your collection.. without hesitation!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I downloaded `Like Bees to Honey' on a recommendation from a twitter friend. I wasn't too sure what to expect as this isn't my usual style of book.
I'll admit I found the first 30% really hard going; the writing style is unusual and I think it was that that made it a little difficult for me. That said I felt the book really came to life when Tilly's voice came through, I found that part the most touching and thought provoking.
The idea and concept are interesting, and outside of the normal type of book I'd usually read. That said, its entertaining and held my attention. I can image though that some would find this a tricky read as it is a little quirky and some might find the subject matter a little tought. It was, however s well worth the 49p download cost as it's a very thought provoking and somewhat quirky read. I've downloaded another Smailes' books and look forward to starting on that one soon.
Having had a `twitter' conversation with the author, I think this might be a book that is best read in paper format; simply because the author explained that in the paper format when the ghosts are talking, the edge of the pages are black; something that isn't replicated in the Kindle version. What does come through however, is the depth of knowledge that Smailes has in regard to Malta. Having visited Malta myself, I recognised the places and churches referred to, and she does an excellent job of invoking a real imagery around these places.
I'll admit I found the first 30% really hard going; the writing style is unusual and I think it was that that made it a little difficult for me. That said I felt the book really came to life when Tilly's voice came through, I found that part the most touching and thought provoking.
The idea and concept are interesting, and outside of the normal type of book I'd usually read. That said, its entertaining and held my attention. I can image though that some would find this a tricky read as it is a little quirky and some might find the subject matter a little tought. It was, however s well worth the 49p download cost as it's a very thought provoking and somewhat quirky read. I've downloaded another Smailes' books and look forward to starting on that one soon.
Having had a `twitter' conversation with the author, I think this might be a book that is best read in paper format; simply because the author explained that in the paper format when the ghosts are talking, the edge of the pages are black; something that isn't replicated in the Kindle version. What does come through however, is the depth of knowledge that Smailes has in regard to Malta. Having visited Malta myself, I recognised the places and churches referred to, and she does an excellent job of invoking a real imagery around these places.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Nina is out of balance, has lost her sense of perspective, doesn't know what to hold on to and when to let go. She's grieving hard for multiple losses: of her home, culture, birth family and adult family. On a trip back to her homeland of Malta, she seeks answers, solutions, her self.
Caroline Smailes' two previous books were bravely, beautifully written, but unrelentingly grim. In Like Bees To Honey, she chooses again to deal with losses so great they threaten the main character's very identity, but with a lighter hand and some delightful touches of humour. I love the idea of a cool, skater-style-clad, toenail-varnish-wearing, beer-swigging Jesus, and I hope the author will let her sense of humour out to play more often in her future work.
In Smailes' previous books there was no forgiveness, no opportunity for redemption. This is important territory to explore, but so is the territory she covers in Like Bees To Honey: both the physical territory - an evocation of Malta so strong that, after reading the book, I feel as if I've been there myself - and the thematic territory of forgiving yourself, forgiving others, and the relationship between forgiving and letting go.
The structure of the book is interesting, as Like Bees To Honey is a frame or envelope story, with Nina's story enclosing other, shorter stories: of Elena, Tilly, Flavia and Christopher. Of these, for me, Tilly shines out: an engaging, angry, loving character with whom, again, Caroline Smailes uses humour to add a new colour to her writer's palette.
Almost all the characters in this book live with the supernatural as an accepted part of their daily lives. As an atheist myself, Like Bees To Honey might seem an odd book for me to recommend. Yet the key to a successful book with supernatural elements - whether it be a ghost story, science fiction, fantasy, whatever - is that its internal rules must be consistent for the reader to feel secure. Caroline Smailes achieves this with apparent effortlessness, such that the reality of the characters' lived experiences - particularly those of Nina - are utterly congruent, believable and compelling.
Caroline Smailes' two previous books were bravely, beautifully written, but unrelentingly grim. In Like Bees To Honey, she chooses again to deal with losses so great they threaten the main character's very identity, but with a lighter hand and some delightful touches of humour. I love the idea of a cool, skater-style-clad, toenail-varnish-wearing, beer-swigging Jesus, and I hope the author will let her sense of humour out to play more often in her future work.
In Smailes' previous books there was no forgiveness, no opportunity for redemption. This is important territory to explore, but so is the territory she covers in Like Bees To Honey: both the physical territory - an evocation of Malta so strong that, after reading the book, I feel as if I've been there myself - and the thematic territory of forgiving yourself, forgiving others, and the relationship between forgiving and letting go.
The structure of the book is interesting, as Like Bees To Honey is a frame or envelope story, with Nina's story enclosing other, shorter stories: of Elena, Tilly, Flavia and Christopher. Of these, for me, Tilly shines out: an engaging, angry, loving character with whom, again, Caroline Smailes uses humour to add a new colour to her writer's palette.
Almost all the characters in this book live with the supernatural as an accepted part of their daily lives. As an atheist myself, Like Bees To Honey might seem an odd book for me to recommend. Yet the key to a successful book with supernatural elements - whether it be a ghost story, science fiction, fantasy, whatever - is that its internal rules must be consistent for the reader to feel secure. Caroline Smailes achieves this with apparent effortlessness, such that the reality of the characters' lived experiences - particularly those of Nina - are utterly congruent, believable and compelling.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
like bees to honey
A very disappointing book. The plot is weak and the main character is confusing. I read on trying hard to find the highlight of the book but to no avail. Read more
Published 12 hours ago by essentialist
MK Nick
Loved it. Great Story, it was so good I finished it within a week. A very easy read and passed it on to my friends. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ND
Just couldn't get on with this book.
I have to say I didn't finish this book. I had a couple of problems with it. I did not like the layout of this book and recommend anyone thinking of getting this book to do the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Glynn
nice story but rather odd style of writing a bit distracting
In all honesty, this book is ok. just ok. The subject matter has been dealt with a few time before (the 5 people you meet in heaven for example) but what i found a bit of an... Read more
Published 3 months ago by tinkyb0b0
Highly original - possibly unique
I can understand the few bad reviews as Caroline Smailes writing won't be to everyone's taste - it doesn't conform to any rules. Read more
Published 3 months ago by JohnBrassey
Unusual and Lyrical
I met Caroline Smailes at a `meet the author' event at my local library earlier this year, and what a delightful experience it was. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jenna
A book of homecoming and letting go
This is a LOVELY book! It tells the story of Nina, a Maltese woman, whose rather traditional family disowned her when she got pregnant as a student in England. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Annabel Gaskell
Like Bees To Honey lifts the spirits
Like Bees To Honey by Caroline Smailes should be prescribed reading for anyone feeling down in the dumps, it's such an uplifting read! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Pamreader
Unique writing style
The story tells the tale of Nina's journey from being broken and lifeless to acceptance and wholeness. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Shazjera
terrible
I read this as I had really enjoyed "in search of Adam" which incidentally was brilliant. However this novel was one of the worst I have ever struggled to get through. Read more
Published 14 months ago by soukie
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