A review by vighnesh
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Bee Sting follows an ordinary family of 4 in a small-town in Ireland. Throughout the story, we explore the inner- lives of all 4 family members, Cass, a teenage girl, PJ, her younger brother and Imelda and Dickie, their parents. It is a story spanning decades and we spend a long time with each character, alternating between the past and present, and towards the end each perspective gets shorter and shorter, eventually we’re jumping between perspectives each sentence and it culminates into a fitting climax. 

Its about how we all have these rich inner lives that only we are privy too, how the perceptions of the ones closest to us can be so different to the truth but ultimately, its this beautiful story of loving yourself and loving each other. 

I think it’s best to not know much about it before reading it and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the story.

I think what I loved the most was how Paul Murray discusses perspective as a concept and subverts it in so many ways. This family, from the outside seems boringly ordinary. Within the family, each member views the other differently to who they actually are. The stylistic and creative choices made were so different but enhanced the story and made it so rich. 

Paul Murray has so much control with this story and paces it so well. We spend so much time with e ach character, adding so much depth to them and really connecting the reader and getting us invested into their story and their lives. 

The stylistic choices made to deepen the voice of each character was so smart. For example, when we’re in Imelda’s perspective, there are no full stops.

This may be my favourite book of the year. Paul Murray is a master in storytelling, he has such control with his writing. The Bee Sting is an intentional, well-crafted story on how we all have these rich inner lives, how our stories are all interconnected and ultimately how we should just love.