Scan barcode
A review by deedireads
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Layered, ambitious, and gripping, The Bee Sting is 500 pages of family saga followed by 150 pages of literary thriller that we absolutely need. I hope it wins the Booker!
For you if: You like long books about characters that could step off the page as they break your heart.
FULL REVIEW:
I was excited to read The Bee Sting even before it was longlisted (now shortlisted) for the Booker Prize, thanks to this incredible plug in LitHub’s list of most anticipated 2023 books. While I recognize that this chonker isn’t going to be for everyone, it was absoLUTEly for me.
500 pages of family saga followed by 150 pages of literary thriller, The Bee Sting is layered, ambitious, and gripping. We are introduced to four members of a single family living in rural Ireland in the early 2010s: Cass, in her final days of high school; 12-year-old PJ, brilliant and largely friendless; Imelda, their mother trying to save them from the recession; and Dickie, their father, who makes his living as owner of the local car dealership that was once his father’s. With every person we meet, our understanding of all the secrets and dynamics between them deepens, until all that tension reaches an explosive, dizzying end.
I freakin love a family saga, especially the really well-done kind where the characters tug at me from deep in my gut (as this one does). I’m deeply impressed with how distinct and realistic each character’s voice was, especially the two children; Paul Murray is insanely talented at this part of his craft. I also really loved all the flashbacks, especially in Imelda and Dickie’s sections. I know some reviewers felt a bit whiplashed, but I found so much depth in them. In fact, I think they’re what really give those two characters to us, as readers, and I often didn’t want to return to the present at all. And WHEW, that ending. It took some contemplation for me to feel satisfied by it, but it’s clearly the right ending for this book.
There’s so much to say and unpack here, and a review only has so much space. But I’m so glad that the Booker of the Month book club got to read it together and discuss. I’m rooting for this one to win the Booker!
TL;DR REVIEW:
Layered, ambitious, and gripping, The Bee Sting is 500 pages of family saga followed by 150 pages of literary thriller that we absolutely need. I hope it wins the Booker!
For you if: You like long books about characters that could step off the page as they break your heart.
FULL REVIEW:
I was excited to read The Bee Sting even before it was longlisted (now shortlisted) for the Booker Prize, thanks to this incredible plug in LitHub’s list of most anticipated 2023 books. While I recognize that this chonker isn’t going to be for everyone, it was absoLUTEly for me.
500 pages of family saga followed by 150 pages of literary thriller, The Bee Sting is layered, ambitious, and gripping. We are introduced to four members of a single family living in rural Ireland in the early 2010s: Cass, in her final days of high school; 12-year-old PJ, brilliant and largely friendless; Imelda, their mother trying to save them from the recession; and Dickie, their father, who makes his living as owner of the local car dealership that was once his father’s. With every person we meet, our understanding of all the secrets and dynamics between them deepens, until all that tension reaches an explosive, dizzying end.
I freakin love a family saga, especially the really well-done kind where the characters tug at me from deep in my gut (as this one does). I’m deeply impressed with how distinct and realistic each character’s voice was, especially the two children; Paul Murray is insanely talented at this part of his craft. I also really loved all the flashbacks, especially in Imelda and Dickie’s sections. I know some reviewers felt a bit whiplashed, but I found so much depth in them. In fact, I think they’re what really give those two characters to us, as readers, and I often didn’t want to return to the present at all. And WHEW, that ending. It took some contemplation for me to feel satisfied by it, but it’s clearly the right ending for this book.
There’s so much to say and unpack here, and a review only has so much space. But I’m so glad that the Booker of the Month book club got to read it together and discuss. I’m rooting for this one to win the Booker!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Rape, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pedophilia and Classism