Mad Honey

Honey, which even finds its way into the book’s title, symbolizes honey multiple things over the course of the story. As an apiarist, Olivia harvests and sells honey for a living. In this way, honey represents her livelihood and what allows her family to thrive. The bear attack on one of her colonies is thus significant as a threat—and it takes place on the same day as Lily’s death. Olivia knows that the bees won’t survive the winter after losing their honey stores; accordingly, by March, they’re all dead. Similarly, Lily’s death marks a turning point for Olivia and Asher’s lives, and by the spring and the start of the trial, their lives have already been altered forever.

In addition, honey is a source of comfort in tough times. Olivia jots down recipes that use honey in her notebook throughout the trial. One of these recipes is a dessert made as a New Year’s Eve tradition and is a comforting memory for her and Asher; another is a honey loaf that Olivia bakes for Asher to commiserate a loss. Also, “honey” is a term of endearment that Ava sometimes calls Lily.

In contrast, Olivia describes “mad honey”—the type of honey that lends the book its name. This is the only honey that can’t be consumed, for as sweet and attractive as it is, it’s deadly. It becomes symbolic of abusive relationships, in keeping with the theme Violence and Abuse in Relationships. Braden and Olivia’s relationship is like mad honey, as is Asher and Lily’s in some part. Ultimately, however, the novel uses honey to symbolize healing. Olivia gives Ava a jar of honey before she leaves town for good, in the hope that she can use it one day, as honey doesn’t spoil. Here, honey indicates the eternal potential for healing when one is ready for it.