Flight Patterns by Karen White

This must be the third or fourth book I have read to date that involves bees!  Certainly, their life cycle, their survival instinct, their relationships within the hive make for good themes when telling a complicated family history. The queen bee will usually only sting a rival queen bee, much like Anna Bloodworth, who "stung" when her position as Birdie's mother felt threatened. The hive survives on the strength of the females. There were many strong females in this book: Anna, Birdie, Maisy, Caroline, Becky, Marlene and Georgia. I think most of these women were living in pure "survival mode" however, which takes strength, but is not an emotionally easy way to live! I was so happy that Maisy and Georgia were able to separate themselves from their mother, Birdie, in a healthier way - much like how older queen bees leave the hive with their followers to establish their own hives. I really love the symbolism in this book! 

I did not agree at all with Anna's decision regarding Giles Mouton! Why?? Giles had already proven how much he loved his daughter by giving her to another family to save her. He had survived a prison camp - survived the war. He traveled all that way to find his daughter like he promised her he would. He was dying already. Again, WHY? Why couldn't Anna have taken him in, re-introduced him to his daughter and let him see that she was okay. I know she didn't want Birdie taken from them, but considering all the facts, they could have all been a "family". It is just so incredibly sad that she felt like she had to resort to such desperate measures. Her actions had a profound affect on her husband and Birdie for the rest of their lives. If Anna had welcomed Giles, believing that he would be a positive influence in Birdie's life, then the domino effect of emotionally-stunted women in the family would probably have never happened. Birdie would have been a better mother, which would have produced a feeling of security in her daughter's lives. It is just so tragic how one fatal decision can affect so many.

I wish we knew what Becky was thinking when she found out that Georgia was her mother. That's a pretty significant thing to find out! She seemed to take it all in stride, which is hard for me to believe. I know she loved Maisy & Georgia a lot, but still. Even if she suspected she was Georgia's daughter (based on looks, habits, etc) before seeing the proof, wouldn't she want to know WHY? (There's that question again!)

Even though I didn't agree with some of the decisions made in this book, I still really liked the book! Family dynamics and family history and family secrets are always so interesting - and Karen White has an engaging writing style that I really enjoy.

Wendy's Rating: ****