61 pages • 2 hours read
The Bee Sting
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Book Brief
656
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • Contemporary
2023
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In a small Irish town post-2008 financial crash, the Barnes family—patriarch and car dealer Dickie, wife Imelda, and their children Cassie and PJ—struggles with personal and financial crises. Cassie explores love and poetry, while PJ faces bullying and dreams of escape. Family tensions and secrets, including Imelda and Dickie’s troubled pasts and Dickie's hidden relationship, culminate in a dramatic confrontation.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Humorous
Reviews & Readership
83,745 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Paul Murray's The Bee Sting captivates with its rich character development and incisive social commentary. Critics praised its humor and emotional depth while some noted uneven pacing. The novel's blend of wit and poignancy resonates, making it a compelling read despite occasional narrative lulls. Overall, it is well received for its thought-provoking narrative.
Who Should Read The Bee Sting?
Fans of complex family dynamics, dark humor, and poignant storytelling will relish Paul Murray's The Bee Sting. Ideal for readers who appreciated Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Anne Enright's The Gathering, this book captivates with its exploration of personal and collective crises amidst contemporary Irish life.
83,745 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
656
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • Contemporary
2023
Adult
18+ years
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