Will I love Mad Honey?

The book had the overall format of "mystery," but the way the various characters interacted and the themes that were involved were much deeper than a "run-of-the-mill" murder.

Jodi Picoult and Jenny Boylan have created a masterful novel on teenaged love and injustice.

Like an onion, the radiating relationships provide a platform for deep-dives into social issues. Woven throughout the book are detailed subplots on everything from beekeeping to gender discourse.

I love the story behind the book's title. There actually is Mad Honey, which can muddle people's thinking, and has been used to win battles in history. 

I especially appreciated the authors' notes. "What do I want the reader to take from this book?" Jodi asks rhetorically. "Nothing. I don't want the reader to take anything. But… show more.

This book pulled me in and I could not put it down. Filled with suspense, a fascinating but dark love story, and the practice of beekeeping, this story twists and turns with every new page. I love it when characters take risks and I have no idea where their bravery or curiosity will take them. This book is filled with risk-taking that kept me on edge through the final page.

A sensitive handling of a trans story interwoven with a legal case and fascinating snippets about bee keeping. Some of the time jumps felt unnecessary but overall a wonderful book.

The premise of this book intrigued me, especially since I have not read many books about the identity of one of the characters in Mad Honey. (I'm being careful not to include a spoiler.) When I learned that Jodi co-wrote the book so she could make sure she got the representation of authentic voices correct, I was really impressed. The seamless back and forth between the characters is unbelievable, and the subject matter caused me to think hard about my preconceived ideas and what it would be like to walk in the shoes of the characters in the book.

I particularly enjoyed the two different author voices, one narrating from present into future, the other one from present into past.

The nature symbolism represented by the bees is an inspired mirror for the plot and the characters, somehow connecting the very human conflicts and events to a rather simpler causality, where acceptance is given and effortless.

Dancing between a teenager universe, focused on self-awareness and discovery of authentic self, despite prejudice, and an adult universe, caring about protecting the loved ones and healing personal trauma, the plot challenged the reader to think about inclusion, diversity, appearance, love and friendship.

This was such an original story that totally took me by surprise. I love when a book does that!

As a sociologist, I've always been captivated by stories that challenge societal norms and offer fresh perspectives on life.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is one such book that has left a lasting impression on me. What sets it apart is its inclusive portrayal of LGBT characters, navigating their lives and dilemmas with sensitivity and authenticity.

As an educator, I was particularly moved by the ethical dilemmas presented in the storyline. They reminded me of many classroom discussions with my students, exploring complex social issues and seeking ways to navigate them ethically. The storytelling prowess and… show more.

I believe I have read all of Jodi Picoult’s books. This one had so many twists and turns!

She does a great job in making the reader learn about something they may not have known about before, and she addresses such important topics that make you think about our world. 

This is a book you won’t want to put down, and that is filled with twists and turns. It is about a young man whose girlfriend ends up dead and is on trial for her murder.

Being the mom of two sons, I could empathize with the boy’s mom and how helpless she felt to help him. The book also had a subplot about bees and how they made honey, and to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be interested, but I was wrong.

The writing was visual, and the bees turned out to be a metaphor for what else… show more.