My dear readers, I had the absolute pleasure of reading The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows and then joining A Tip of The Tongue Podcast to discuss. Many of you have already listened to the episode and have thereby heard some of my thoughts. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed that collaboration as much as I did.
Here’s a quick plot summary for those who haven’t listened yet –
Agatha Griffin, print shop owner, widow, and mother to newly-adult son, Sydney, is living life the best she can while feeling the ever-increasing weight of time on her shoulders. When a beehive is found swarming her warehouse in Melliton, Agatha has to call upon beekeeper, Penelope Flood, to remove the hive. Once removed the bees need tending and Penelope agrees to watch after them while Agatha is working in London. So begins a charming correspondence and budding friendship. Agatha starts taking more trips to Melliton, and our beekeeper is a little less lonely. But tension from the current political atmosphere has the small town shaken. Agatha and Penelope have to navigate through quite a few conflicts before they find solace in each other’s arms.
I enjoyed all the sub-plot Waite included here. Alongside the romance, we have censorship threats to the press, a missing snuff box, women trapped in marriages (including the Queen of England), and all the information I needed on traditional beekeeping. I also love how Waite addresses sexism in her books (lots of fighting patriarchy in The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics). It was interesting to see this explored within the mother/son dynamic. At one point Sydney says to Agatha, “Aren’t you angry when rich, powerful men try to tell you what you are and aren’t allowed to print?” And she replies with, “That kind of anger is a luxury I do not have.” This is some powerful stuff, and we see how that reality influenced Sydney in his relationship with Eliza, Agatha’s apprentice.
Agatha and Penelope are two characters I really enjoyed. I may be a little biased as Penelope reminded me so much of my fiancé who I sometimes refer to as the ‘bee savior’ because she will always rescue a bee (or wasp, or bug, or any living thing) from perceived peril. Like Flood, she is also a kind-hearted person who is considerate of all around her. Agatha was a good contrast, equally as compassionate, but more guarded, having been stung a few more times. This book is definitely a slow burn, so be prepared to really get to know these women before any action happens.
If you’re looking to travel back in time to when you could actually sit in taverns, and sing songs mocking the government, and if you like your novels layered with beautiful prose then The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows is for you.
If I haven’t sold you here, then head over to A Tip of the Tongue Podcast for an even more in depth discussion (if you want to avoid spoilers, give it a listen once you’ve finished)!
Follow Olivia Waite on Twitter: @O_Waite and Instagram: @o_wow_waite
Follow A Tip of the Tongue Podcast on Twitter: @atttpod and Instagram:@atipofthetongue