Marytè is a beekeeper who is part of a tiny bičiulystè (beekeeping community) in a remote area of 16th century Lithuania. She is grieving the death of her husband and feels a gulf growing between her and daughter, Austeja. Marytè feels the weight of responsibility for her small family. Austeja is torn between the old pagan beliefs and the new Christianity, and the limitations of her isolated life.
After a difficult winter, more change comes: there is a new priest, a new Duke and increased taxes. Then the Hollow Watcher, who collects taxes for the Duke, is found dead and mutilated. In such a small community, suspicion is easily aroused and Austeja’s investigations uncover lies and betrayals. Will she endanger their family, or can she and her mother work together to save the bees and their community?
I love a book that takes me to a different time and place and this novel fits the bill perfectly. It is stunningly written, with evocative descriptions of the forest, seasons and beekeeping life. Marytè and Austeja are two strong women, battling against both nature and society’s expectations, and their chafing against limitations is sensitively and believably portrayed.
Reviewed by Melinda Woledge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Keegan is a perinatal psychologist, writer and mother who lives on Dharawal and Gundungarra country in the Wollondilly Shire. She has worked extensively in perinatal and infant mental health and is an editor at Perspectives in Infant Mental Health, a publication of WAIMH (World Association for Infant Mental Health). She has also written for The Guardian. She has two young girls and drinks more tea than is sensible. All the Bees in the Hollows is her debut novel.
0 Comments