71 pages • 2 hours read
The Murmur of Bees
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Book Brief
476
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • 1910s
2015
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia is set in early 20th-century Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and Spanish flu pandemic. It follows an orphaned boy named Simonopio, who possesses psychic abilities and communicates with bees. He becomes central to the lives of the Morales family, guiding them through turmoil and personal strife while facing prejudice and danger from their community. The novel includes instances of violence and death.
Mysterious
Emotional
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
100,004 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia, translated by Simon Bruni, is praised for its enchanting storytelling and richly developed characters. Its vivid portrayal of early 20th-century Mexican life captivates readers. However, some felt its pacing was slow at times. Overall, it's a compelling blend of historical fiction and magical realism.
Who Should Read The Murmur of Bees?
Readers who enjoyed the multigenerational family dynamics in Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and the evocative historical fiction in Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits will be captivated by the rich storytelling and magical realism found in Sofía Segovia's The Murmur of Bees.
100,004 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Francisco Morales Junior
Francisco Morales Junior
The spirited, fair-haired son of Beatriz and Francisco Senior, who shares a deep bond with Simonopio and narrates parts of the story as an elderly man.
Beatriz Cortés Morales
Beatriz Cortés Morales
The devoted and traditional matriarch of the Morales family, who navigates personal and familial challenges while striving to uphold her values.
Francisco Morales Senior
Francisco Morales Senior
The patriarchal head of the Morales family and inheritor of the family hacienda, committed to preserving family traditions and land amidst changing political landscapes.
Anselmo Espiricueta
Anselmo Espiricueta
A discontented and antagonistic figure, whose deep-seated grievances and distrust of the Morales family lead to escalating tensions.
Nana Reja
Nana Reja
A wise elder with Indigenous roots, known for her nurturing role as a wet nurse and her serene presence, symbolizing stability within the Morales household.
476
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • 1910s
2015
Adult
16+ years
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