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amandaredinger's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Car accident
mtferal's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's a quintessentially Irish story about a family hurtling towards a collapse that could be avoided if they were simply honest with one another. I loved the way the characters were laid out from each others' perspectives, and how the shift in those perspectives filled in the gaps of each other's understandings and made each of their situations more relatable. At times it felt like Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections" if it was written by an author who wasn't such an asshole and clearly loved his characters.
To address some points from other reviews-- yes, it's long. I didn't feel it overstayed its welcome, or dragged on too long in any direction before switching to a different character or plot thread. There is indeed a 100+ page stretch with no punctuation, but there aren't any quotation marks on dialogue to begin with, and proper capitalization is maintained so I found it easy to follow. I thought this contributed to an overall dreamlike feeling that made that section particularly memorable, especially since it lays out much of the core trauma that drives the engine of the story.
I really can't recommend this one enough. It went down easier than a 600+ page book about Irish family trauma should. The ending is ambiguous but thought-provoking, and I bet a re-read would be rewarded with tons of details that foreshadow the author's true intent.
To address some points from other reviews-- yes, it's long. I didn't feel it overstayed its welcome, or dragged on too long in any direction before switching to a different character or plot thread. There is indeed a 100+ page stretch with no punctuation, but there aren't any quotation marks on dialogue to begin with, and proper capitalization is maintained so I found it easy to follow. I thought this contributed to an overall dreamlike feeling that made that section particularly memorable, especially since it lays out much of the core trauma that drives the engine of the story.
I really can't recommend this one enough. It went down easier than a 600+ page book about Irish family trauma should. The ending is ambiguous but thought-provoking, and I bet a re-read would be rewarded with tons of details that foreshadow the author's true intent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Car accident
Minor: Bullying, Pedophilia, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
mollyfmurphy's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall, a smartly crafted story with flawed, interesting characters that will keep you invested. The writing and stylistic choices felt clunky and forced at times, and were often more distracting than they were successful in developing a voice for the characters.
The handling of Dickie’s sexuality felt all wrong to me; it came out of nowhere in a way that felt totally unrealistic, though it did eventually sort of level out and of course ends up being a driving force in his motivation.
The introduction of other characters’ perspectives in the final pages of the novel felt like a cheap device to make for an overly dramatic ending, though I’ll admit it keeps you reading.
The introduction of other characters’ perspectives in the final pages of the novel felt like a cheap device to make for an overly dramatic ending, though I’ll admit it keeps you reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Pedophilia
aburnss's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Bee Sting is a book that explores complex family dynamics and the deep flaws that lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly normal family. With that being said, this was a book with a plot that was a bit outside of my comfort zone. I need to stop picking up books with major rape plot lines. Other major themes included alcoholism, closeted affairs, blackmail, and grooming / near pedophilia to name some of the more sinister hidden secrets. While these major issues were well written they made me dislike almost every character for their values and behaviors.
The writing structure of the book was interesting. We follow the perspective of each family member (daughter, son, mother, father) for a long dedicated section of the book and then switch between all characters as their stories converge and the plot thickens. This style was well done and created depth with each character, although I'll admit I forgot much of Cass's story by the time we circled back to her since the book is so long.
I also appreciated the way that the narrative style changed with each character, especially Imelda's sections written without any punctuation. I would consider this a stylistically clever novel.
With that being said, there were several elements of the book that pulled me out of it and left me dissatisfied. Due to the major flaws in all the characters, I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. They all make disgusting and horrible choices and while they can be understood by the backstories of the characters I still didn't like the characters as people. Additionally, it felt like the book was trying too hard to be progressive withtwo family members being gay and too many graphic sex scenes for my preference . I wouldn't necessarily mind that in itself, but the sexuality of those characters ended up being the driving point of their entire storylines which felt tedious.
One of the best parts of the book was the ending. The way that the narratives startswitching between characters in paragraphs rather than chapters as things come to a head had me on the edge of my seat and I loved that the book ended with a slightly open-ended conclusion of not knowing if Dickie mistakenly shoots the kids, but all the foreshadowing of the novel leading one to conclude that is more than likely what happens . The way that the characters own flaws and decisions catch up to them was satisfying rather than tragic to me as their series of horrible decisions left a poor taste in my mouth. The way that Imelda finally chooses against her affair by remembering that her and Dickie are together in life for the kids right before Dickie mistakenly shoots the kids thinking they were his blackmailer was brilliant. Especially as we simultaneously learn that her affair partner was likely just killed. The two most innocent characters dying for the grave mistakes of their parents was impactful.
I may think back on this book in the future for the amazing conclusion, but I really didn't enjoy reading it for the majority of the story. If you don't mind reading books where key elements of the plot revolve aroundthe character's sexuality and you don't mind graphic sex / rape scenes then you might enjoy the morally grey (dark grey?) characters and the payoff in the final ~15% of the book.
The writing structure of the book was interesting. We follow the perspective of each family member (daughter, son, mother, father) for a long dedicated section of the book and then switch between all characters as their stories converge and the plot thickens. This style was well done and created depth with each character, although I'll admit I forgot much of Cass's story by the time we circled back to her since the book is so long.
I also appreciated the way that the narrative style changed with each character, especially Imelda's sections written without any punctuation. I would consider this a stylistically clever novel.
With that being said, there were several elements of the book that pulled me out of it and left me dissatisfied. Due to the major flaws in all the characters, I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. They all make disgusting and horrible choices and while they can be understood by the backstories of the characters I still didn't like the characters as people. Additionally, it felt like the book was trying too hard to be progressive with
One of the best parts of the book was the ending. The way that the narratives start
I may think back on this book in the future for the amazing conclusion, but I really didn't enjoy reading it for the majority of the story. If you don't mind reading books where key elements of the plot revolve around
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
cmclarabee's review
1.5
It’s always hard to take when I don’t like a book that has gotten near universal acclaim, but this one is beyond the beyond. I forced myself to finish it, but am not really glad that I did. Unremittingly grim with positively operatic high drama at the end. Was the writing good? There was so much too much of it that I don’t even know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Physical abuse and Alcoholism
gvstyris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So many of the bad things that happen in the world come from people pretending to be something they’re not.
The Bee Sting depicts a family on the brink of collapse, its four members incapable of emotional vulnerability and ravaged by years of shame and trauma. It is devastating how little the POV characters know about one-another, especially the married couple, Dickie and Imelda.
The consideration of these four perspectives is where much of The Bee Sting's genius lies. Cass and PJ's two-dimensional perception of their parents' beliefs and ambitions, for example, is challenged as soon as we reach Imelda's first chapter. I was surprised by how convincingly Murray writes each character, portraying both women and younger voices with sensitivity and understanding. Each perspective adds something to the overall narrative, and I particularly enjoyed delving into Dickie's psyche.
Murray's prose also plays an important role in this novel's success. Imelda's chapters are written without punctuation, offering the reader a stream-of-consciousness that seems to mirror her anxiety and disorientation with her life's trajectory. That being said, I did listen to the audiobook and would recommend it for a more seamless reading experience -- a couple of Murray's stylistic choices would likely have bugged me without it. I also loved how each section decreases in length as the novel progresses, slowly building the tension as it becomes clearer and clearer that the Barnes' family is irreparably damaged. Similarly, the symbolism here is beautiful: the squirrels, Imelda's fairytales, the bee sting itself.
Given that this book is a 650 page marathon, it delves into too many other themes to summarise here. The discussion around climate anxiety and human destruction also stuck with me, as well as the religious guilt that underpins much of Dickie's (and Imelda's, I suppose) struggle. I will be thinking about the ending for a long time, but am definitely a believer thatthe novel's opening lines foreshadow its conclusion. There is something suitably tragic about the catharsis of Dickie committing suicide after unintentionally shooting the two children.
The consideration of these four perspectives is where much of The Bee Sting's genius lies. Cass and PJ's two-dimensional perception of their parents' beliefs and ambitions, for example, is challenged as soon as we reach Imelda's first chapter. I was surprised by how convincingly Murray writes each character, portraying both women and younger voices with sensitivity and understanding. Each perspective adds something to the overall narrative, and I particularly enjoyed delving into Dickie's psyche.
Murray's prose also plays an important role in this novel's success. Imelda's chapters are written without punctuation, offering the reader a stream-of-consciousness that seems to mirror her anxiety and disorientation with her life's trajectory. That being said, I did listen to the audiobook and would recommend it for a more seamless reading experience -- a couple of Murray's stylistic choices would likely have bugged me without it. I also loved how each section decreases in length as the novel progresses, slowly building the tension as it becomes clearer and clearer that the Barnes' family is irreparably damaged. Similarly, the symbolism here is beautiful: the squirrels, Imelda's fairytales, the bee sting itself.
Given that this book is a 650 page marathon, it delves into too many other themes to summarise here. The discussion around climate anxiety and human destruction also stuck with me, as well as the religious guilt that underpins much of Dickie's (and Imelda's, I suppose) struggle. I will be thinking about the ending for a long time, but am definitely a believer that
On a pettier note, though, I was slightly tempted to take half a star off because the names of the two gay men are Dickie and Willie :sob:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Dementia, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident, Vomit, and Lesbophobia
pixie_d's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Grief, Sexual assault, Death, Stalking, Car accident, and Rape
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Drug use
torihope98's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Homophobia, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Antisemitism, Animal death, Infidelity, Dementia, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Pedophilia
fa_biene's review against another edition
4.5
This is an almost-perfect-book.
Each part is narrated by a different character. Taken together, they offer a kaleidoscopic view of a dysfunctional family struggling amidst a recession. It's about wrong choices, missed opportunities, love and the unfair events that sometimes change a life.
Each part is narrated by a different character. Taken together, they offer a kaleidoscopic view of a dysfunctional family struggling amidst a recession. It's about wrong choices, missed opportunities, love and the unfair events that sometimes change a life.
Why not 5 stars, then?
However, it falls short of a perfect rating due to its concluding section, "The Age of Loneliness." While many reviewers praise the author, Murray, for skillfully tying together loose ends, I found this last part to be overly explanatory.
I appreciate how each character's perspective stands independently, revealing hidden truths and complexities, while also shedding new light on other characters' narratives. The final section, however, unravels much of this ambiguity, over-explaining the plot, relationships, and future, leaving it feeling too... neat.
Murray often uses ambiguity and his characters are masters of "strongly insinuating but never quite-telling". While lots of readers seem to complain about the open ending of the novel, I would have wished for Murray to leave some of those loose ends dangling in the wind.
Just one example for what I mean by "over-explanation": The Bee Sting is introduced to us right from the beginning and keeps appearing throughout the book. Once I reached Imelda's part, I knew that it probably wasn't a bee sting and that it must've been a bruise, due to her father hitting her for the first time ever. However, I also wasn't entirely sure; I was never 100% certain. It's this ambiguity that made this scene (and the novel as a whole) so powerful. When Murray explained it all in the last bit, I wanted to SCREAM because it took away a lot of the scene's power.
Why still 4.5 stars, then?
Because this novel hits different. It's masterfully written without seeming overly constructed. The characters feel real, and their respective narratives got me thinking about life and the fact that at some point, we run out of time and our choices (good and bad, couragous and cowardly) cannot be undone.
Some of the best I've read in years.
Gosh. I'm still reeling.
However, it falls short of a perfect rating due to its concluding section, "The Age of Loneliness." While many reviewers praise the author, Murray, for skillfully tying together loose ends, I found this last part to be overly explanatory.
I appreciate how each character's perspective stands independently, revealing hidden truths and complexities, while also shedding new light on other characters' narratives. The final section, however, unravels much of this ambiguity, over-explaining the plot, relationships, and future, leaving it feeling too... neat.
Murray often uses ambiguity and his characters are masters of "strongly insinuating but never quite-telling". While lots of readers seem to complain about the open ending of the novel, I would have wished for Murray to leave some of those loose ends dangling in the wind.
Just one example for what I mean by "over-explanation":
Why still 4.5 stars, then?
Because this novel hits different. It's masterfully written without seeming overly constructed. The characters feel real, and their respective narratives got me thinking about life and the fact that at some point, we run out of time and our choices (good and bad, couragous and cowardly) cannot be undone.
Some of the best I've read in years.
Gosh. I'm still reeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Rape
stephenhunsaker's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Paul Murray you have made me question if I can’t read. Who knew leaving all punctuation, including periods, out of writing would make it soooo damn hard to understand.
This book is truly one of the bleakest books I have read and utterly destroys any semblance of hope for people and society. It’s a hard read, one with no resolution to grasp on to for relief, just empty darkness.
This book is truly one of the bleakest books I have read and utterly destroys any semblance of hope for people and society. It’s a hard read, one with no resolution to grasp on to for relief, just empty darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, and Outing
Moderate: Stalking and Homophobia