Olivia McAfee in Mad Honey: Character Analysis

Overview of Olivia McAfee in Mad Honey: Character Analysis of a Mother, Beekeeper, and Survivor in Jodi Picoult's Novel (2022) — Olivia McAfee is one of the two central narrators of Mad Honey, alternating chapters with Lily Campanello. She is a beekeeper in Adams, New Hampshire, running a commercial apiary on land her family has owned for generations. Before returning to Adams, she was married to Braden Fields, a cardiac surgeon who abused her for years; she eventually left him and raised their son Asher alone. When Asher is accused of murdering his girlfriend Lily, Olivia becomes his most steadfast defender, working alongside her brother Jordan to clear his name while confronting the painful history she has kept hidden. Her story is one of protection, self-discovery, and the slow work of rebuilding a life after trauma. For a broader look at the novel, see the Mad Honey study guide.