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cheye13's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was so dry and so long and for what? It's over 500 pages to explain the fall of a beehive after the human caretaker passes away. I really should've dnf'd quite early because I truly hated the writing style, but I had to know the point of the story. And it sucked. I was really hoping for some less direct commentary or some layers of meaning, but it was all so dry. What itched the most was the dystopian tone; I couldn't tell if it was condemning bees behavior as a metaphor for human society or if the story stopped at face value because the society was bees. Ultimately a failure of commentary if it was intended at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality and Religious bigotry
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
all content warnings in context of a bee society, which may be enough distance for somedellydoos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Think Handmaids Tale combined with Animal Farm, except not that dark because this book is literally about bees… The Bees was totally batshit bonkers. And I was here for it.
Witty and ironic, Laline Paul wrote with a confident and straight-forward style that hooked me from the first page. She weaves her storytelling with a unique blend of humour and sharp observation. This precision extends to the scientific aspects of the story, where the author’s attention to accuracy adds depth and credibility to the narrative. But also a lot of enjoyment. For instance, you might have already been aware that male bees, known as drones, perish after mating with the queen. However, within Laline Paull's hive, the queen proudly sports the drone’s detached organ as a keepsake from an unforgettable encounter. Hilarious stuff.
Laline Paul’s willingness to embrace the unconventional is refreshing. She fearlessly plunges into the realm of bees, giving them voices and personalities that resonate with the human experience. And what makes The Bees truly exceptional is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining a gripping and accessible narrative. Just like The Handmaid’s Tale and Animal Farm, it delves into the complexities of power, hierarchy, religion and community. The allegorical elements are cleverly intertwined with the bee society, making for a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read.
However, I felt the book’s strength sliding a little when it came to the character development. This was mostly a plot driven novel, and whilst I resonated with Flora 717, I yearned for a deeper exploration of her character. There was more to discover beneath the surface of the characters within this book.
Flora 717, the brave and resilient protagonist, is undoubtedly the heart of the story. Her journey from a lowly sanitation worker to a figure of great significance within the hive is a testament to the author's ability to craft a compelling lead character. However, there were moments when I longed for a more profound glimpse into Flora's inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations. While her actions spoke volumes, a deeper exploration of her psyche would have added a layer of complexity that could have made her even more interesting.
Even so, this book was exactly what I needed after a couple of dry reading months. I devoured it within a single sitting, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who just needs a good time with a great book. 4.5/5 stars.
Witty and ironic, Laline Paul wrote with a confident and straight-forward style that hooked me from the first page. She weaves her storytelling with a unique blend of humour and sharp observation. This precision extends to the scientific aspects of the story, where the author’s attention to accuracy adds depth and credibility to the narrative. But also a lot of enjoyment. For instance, you might have already been aware that male bees, known as drones, perish after mating with the queen. However, within Laline Paull's hive, the queen proudly sports the drone’s detached organ as a keepsake from an unforgettable encounter. Hilarious stuff.
Laline Paul’s willingness to embrace the unconventional is refreshing. She fearlessly plunges into the realm of bees, giving them voices and personalities that resonate with the human experience. And what makes The Bees truly exceptional is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining a gripping and accessible narrative. Just like The Handmaid’s Tale and Animal Farm, it delves into the complexities of power, hierarchy, religion and community. The allegorical elements are cleverly intertwined with the bee society, making for a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read.
However, I felt the book’s strength sliding a little when it came to the character development. This was mostly a plot driven novel, and whilst I resonated with Flora 717, I yearned for a deeper exploration of her character. There was more to discover beneath the surface of the characters within this book.
Flora 717, the brave and resilient protagonist, is undoubtedly the heart of the story. Her journey from a lowly sanitation worker to a figure of great significance within the hive is a testament to the author's ability to craft a compelling lead character. However, there were moments when I longed for a more profound glimpse into Flora's inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations. While her actions spoke volumes, a deeper exploration of her psyche would have added a layer of complexity that could have made her even more interesting.
Even so, this book was exactly what I needed after a couple of dry reading months. I devoured it within a single sitting, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who just needs a good time with a great book. 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
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