Sue Monk Kidd demonstrates a wonderful command of descriptive writing and certainly must be calling from first hand experiences to convey this honey of a novel. Despite the unfortunate fact that it has been labeled a "woman's book", no one should allow that to deter you from reading it. I sopped up every word as if it were precious nectar.The character developement envelopes the reader to a level of personal connection. Throughout the story the characters stay true to form. Lily and Rosaleen weave a beautifully sweet fabric of life with the beekeeper sisters in a setting so real that you can almost hear the crickets serenading in the moonlit South Carolina summer night.I can't wait for Ms. Kidd's next work and hope it will be coming soon!