Title: Of Bees and Mist
Author: Erick Setiawan
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication July 6, 2010
Paperback: 416 pages
ISBN: 978-1416596257
Genre: Fiction
From the Publisher:
Raised in a sepulchral house where ghosts dwell in mirrors, Meridia grows up lonely and miserable. But at age sixteen, she has a chance at happiness when she falls in love with Daniel-a caring and naive young man. Soon they marry, and Meridia can finally escape to live with her husband’s family, unaware that they harbor dark secrets of their own. There is a grave hidden in the garden, there are two sisters groomed from birth to despise each other, and there is Eva-the formidable matriarch and the wickedest mother-in-law imaginable-whose grievances swarm the air in an army of bees. As Meridia struggles to keep her life and marriage together, she discovers long-buried secrets about her own past as well as shocking truths about her new family that inexorably push her love, courage, and sanity to the brink.
Of Bees and Mist is an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree over a period of thirty years-their galvanic love and passion, their shifting alliances, their superstitions and complex domestic politics-and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality. Erick Setiawan’s astonishing debut is a richly atmospheric and tumultuous ride of hope and heartbreak that is altogether touching, truthful, and entirely memorable.
My Review:
A remarkably beautiful and brilliantly unusual story of three generations of women, Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan is told in a setting reminiscent of a fairy tale. Deeply beautiful, profound, and full of heart-breaking details, the reader is quickly swept into this magical story. While not a fan of most magical novels, Setiawan’s writing is an exception. He takes the reader to a place that transcends time and tells a deeply moving story of love and longing in a manner, which could be interpreted to have occurred long into the past, present or well into the future. Of Bees and Mist is filled with a delightful and imaginative array of characters which are easy to identify with and of whom the reader will either like or dislike, so well each is written, especially Meridia, Ravenna, and Eva and their relationships with each other. Of Bees and Mist is, at first glance, a story of magic and stuff fairy tales are made of, yet Setiawan has expertly crafted his debut novel to read more as a work of fiction and it is this quality which drew me into this timeless story of love and redemption. I heartily recommend Of Bees and Mist to my readers and think this would make an intriguing book discussion group pick.
Erick Setiawan was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, to Chinese parents and moved to the United States in 1991. He is a graduate of Stanford University and currently lives in San Francisco.
For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.
I received a complimentary copy of Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
Thanks for a lovely review. I brought this book home from the library this week and really looking forward to reading it now.
Thank you. Enjoy reading Of Bees and Mist it is truly lovely.
I’m not a fan of magical writing either, but I do love stories about women, so I’ll have to give this book a try.
Kathy,
Do give Of Bees and Mist a try, the author does a brilliant job with this book. I would very much like to know what you think of it.
Wow! Great review! I think the authors who can write genre fiction that appeals to people who don’t normally read that genre have an exceptional gift. Sounds like Erick is one of those authors! Thanks for being on this tour!
He is indeed a very gifted author and I look forward to more works from him.
Beautiful review! I’m adding this one to my wish list!
Thank you, it is a beautiful book. I hope you enjoy Of Bees and Mist.
Sounds great! I do like books with a SUBTLE magical twist, kind of like Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic.
I’m amazed at how many reviews you post. How do you find the time to read all these books! You’re my hero!
Thank you. Of Bees and Mist is a truly lovely story that captures the reader and time just flew by.
I’m not usually a fan of magical novels either but, after reading your review, I’m going to give this one a shot!
I truly enjoyed the book and look forward to any future works by this talented author.
Thank you so much, Jennifer, first for hosting and then for the outstanding review. I am truly honored that you found the book and the characters worthy of your time!
If anyone is interested, I am hosting a month-long Q&A over on Goodreads. I promise to answer any question you ask.
All best,
Erick Setiawan
Thank you for finding time in your busy schedule to stop by. I truly enjoyed your book Of Bees and Mist and I look forward to your future works.