A review by izznzz
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Didn’t think I’d be able to make it through 600+ pages of a dysfunctional family and expected it to fizzle out halfway, but this book kept me on my toes through pages 1 to 640.

Certain things I really liked about the writing:
  1. Paul Murray’s use of punctuation as a tool to set the tone of
    Imelda’s
    character. 
  2. Using that same lack of punctuation nearing the end of the book in the scene where
    Cassie and Elaine are embracing
    . 
  3. Using the subject as a stationary object while the environment passed them by. I noticed this in multiple chapters and it felt like such a perfect way to indicate the lack of control characters have in certain scenes. 

Besides this, there was an undertone of climate anxiety and doom from the start that kept slowly creeping up to the forefront until it quite literally sets the scene for the rest of the story. 

Also there’s a theme of generational trauma between multiple parent-child relationships, often compounding in their current family crisis.

The fact that Paul Murray was able to fit all this into one singular novel and keep the reader hooked until the last page is everything you need to know to pick this book up immediately!!!
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