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THE MUSIC OF BEES

by Eileen Garvin 

Forty-four-year-old Alice Holtzman is stuck in a dead-end job, bereft of family, and now reeling from the unexpected death of her husband. Alice has begun having panic attacks whenever she thinks about how her life hasn’t turned out the way she dreamed. Even the beloved honeybees she raises in her spare time aren’t helping her feel better these days.

In the grip of a panic attack, she nearly collides with Jake–a troubled, paraplegic teenager with the tallest mohawk in Hood River County–while carrying 120,000 honeybees in the back of her pickup truck. Charmed by Jake’s sincere interest in her bees and seeking to rescue him from his toxic home life, Alice surprises herself by inviting Jake to her farm.

And then there’s Harry, a twenty-four-year-old with debilitating social anxiety who is desperate for work. When he applies to Alice’s ad for part-time farm help, he’s shocked to find himself hired. As an unexpected friendship blossoms among Alice, Jake, and Harry, a nefarious pesticide company moves to town, threatening the local honeybee population and illuminating deep-seated corruption in the community. The unlikely trio must unite for the sake of the bees–and in the process, they just might forge a new future for themselves.

Beautifully moving, warm, and uplifting, The Music of Bees is about the power of friendship, compassion in the face of loss, and finding the courage to start over (at any age) when things don’t turn out the way you expect.

Discussion Questions

  • The Music of Bees features three main characters who are very different from each other but are all united by their love of bees. How does this common interest shape their relationships, and what does it symbolize for each of them? For example, consider how Alice describes the importance of bees: “Bees are magic, Mary. They’re our little fairies. They take what we don’t need and turn it into the most amazing elixir” (p. 33). How does this quote relate to the characters’ experiences, and what deeper meaning might it hold?
  • In the book, Alice is a beekeeper and shares her knowledge about the queen bee and her daughters with Jake. How does this conversation relate to the larger themes of the book?
  • Alice’s parents were well-known and respected apple orchard farmers. How does their legacy influence Alice’s life and decisions, and how does this theme connect to the other characters in the book?
  • One of the major plot points in the novel is the potential threat of a pesticide company to the bees and their habitats. What do you think the author is trying to say about the balance between economic development and environmental protection, and how does this issue relate to our own society?
  • Each character in the novel has their own unique struggle to overcome. How do their individual journeys intersect, and what themes emerge from these interactions? For example, consider how William reflects on his relationship with his son: “The boy was always too quiet. Too small. Too something. I didn’t know how to be a father to him” (p. 71). How does William’s experience compare to that of Alice or Harry, and what do their struggles say about the challenges of human connection?
  • Jake’s father is cruel to him, causing Jake to feel trapped and miserable. How does Alice’s offer of a job and a place to stay change Jake’s outlook on life?
  • Harry has a prison record and is trying to start fresh in Oregon. How does his past affect his interactions with Alice and the other characters?
  • One of the central themes of the book is forgiveness. How do the characters in the novel navigate their own feelings of anger, resentment, and betrayal, and what role does forgiveness play in their personal growth?
  • Alice narrowly avoids hitting Jake with her truck and they form an unlikely friendship. How does this chance encounter lead to a greater sense of purpose for both Alice and Jake?
  • Throughout the book, Alice is struggling with unfulfilled dreams and a sense of stagnation. How do the events of the book, particularly her relationship with Jake and Harry, help her overcome these feelings?
  • The book explores themes of family, loyalty, and finding one’s purpose in life. How do these themes manifest in the different relationships between Alice, Jake, Harry, and even Uncle H?
  • The Music of Bees explores the relationship between humans and nature. How does this relationship evolve throughout the book, and what commentary does the novel offer on the importance of environmental stewardship? For example, consider how Alice describes the bees’ importance in the ecosystem: “They pollinate the plants we eat, the flowers we love, the trees that give us oxygen. Without them, we’d be in deep trouble” (p. 33). How does this quote relate to the themes of the novel, and what message might the author be trying to convey about the impact of human actions on the natural world?
  • Compare and contrast the lives of Alice, Jake, and Harry. What similarities and differences do they share?
  • The characters in the novel are all grappling with issues related to identity and belonging. How do they define these concepts for themselves, and how do their perspectives change over the course of the book? For example, consider how Mary reflects on her sense of self: “She had always thought of herself as a mother first, a wife second, and everything else a distant third” (p. 16). How does Mary’s journey relate to those of other characters in the novel, and what does it suggest about the search for purpose and meaning in life?
  • How does the setting of the novel, the town of Hood River, Oregon, impact the story and the characters?
  • One of the most poignant scenes in the novel is when Alice and Jake finally reconnect after many years apart. How does this scene encapsulate the themes of the novel, and what insights can we gain about forgiveness and redemption?
  • At one point in the novel, Alice reflects on the importance of community and says, “We all need someone to lean on from time to time.” How does this statement relate to the themes of the novel, and what insights can we gain about the importance of community and connection?
  • Discuss the importance of community in the novel. How do the characters form a sense of belonging with each other and with the town they live in?
  • How does Alice’s passion for beekeeping reflect her personality and her outlook on life?
  • The novel deals with themes of second chances and starting over. How do the characters experience these themes throughout the story?

From the website Wroteabook.org