The Bees

A novel set in a bee colony, “The Bees” by Laline Paull is an unusual read. The main character, Flora 717, is a sanitation bee with unique abilities for her caste. Flora moves up the ranks, from caring for the Queen’s infants to becoming a forager, despite the strict hierarchy and rules of the hive culture.

She does, however, violate the most revered law of all, sparking a dispute that puts the hive’s survival in jeopardy. Class, caste, and motherhood are among the issues explored in this fascinating novel about a culture that is both foreign and familiar.