As the plot of Paul Murray's Bee Sting has been exhaustively recounted by others, I'll refrain and only say that the reason for a mediocre "c" rating on my part has to do with the inordinate length and astounding amount of paper he felt necessary to present this saga. Yes, it's witty, at times involving, and overall intriguing in its situations. But. Over 700 pages?

Nominated for the Booker Prize Longlist, The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is an excellent character-driven novel following a family in Ireland. Each section of the book is a different character's point of view, and each refocuses the narrative. This is a dense book, but well worth it!

Thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of Paul Murray’s spectacular tragicomedy which was recently long-listed for the Booker Prize. Despite being a sprawling 600 plus pages, this was a novel that kept me thoroughly entertained and completely engrossed with well-drawn characters and a propulsive plot. Bee Sting is the story of a formerly prosperous Irish family who are coping with the after-effects of a financial crash which has crippled the once-lucrative auto showroom and garage that Dickie Barnes had taken over from his father, Maurice, who had retired to Portugal.

Dickie’s wife, Imelda, is a narcissistic beauty who has an “electrifying effect” on people and utter disdain for Dickie who she blames for running the garage into the ground. Their eldest child, Cassandra, is embroiled in a toxic friendship with the manipulative Elaine. Both teens are eager to flee their small town and attend college in Dublin, but Cass, formerly top of her class, wonders how she is going to go to college if the money’s all gone, and begins drinking and partying rather than preparing for her final exams. PJ is a 12 year old who is selling off his video games, a skateboard, a handheld game console and other detritus of an upper-class kid after a school mate threatens to beat him up if he doesn’t reimburse him for some bungled work that was performed at Dickie’s garage. PJ plans to runaway to the home of Ethan, a friend he met on-line, with the naive expectation that his disappearance will stop his parents from fighting, from talking about divorce, and from threatening to send him to boarding school. But, the arrival of Grandpa Maurice leads PJ to hope that he “will give Dad money — Dad will fix whatever is wrong with the garage — Mam will get her proper moisturiser and stop being angry about her complexion — Cass will go to college — PJ will pay off Ears and not get his bones broken and there will be no more talk of divorce or boarding school and everything will be all right again from now on for ever!”

After establishing the primary cast of characters, Murray opens the aperture of the novel wider, and we learn about Imelda’s chaotic childhood, being raised in crushing poverty by a violent father and feckless older brothers, and her first and, perhaps, only love, a charming football player. Imelda’s section, which is structured like a stream-of-conscience phrasing without punctuation, suggests that a single moment of bad luck can alter the direction of a life. Then Murray turns his attention to Dickie, the quiet, unhappy family man who is shirking his responsibilities by working on a secret project in the woods — building an apocalypse-proof bunker. The suspense and revelations keep coming, and it would be irresponsible to reveal them. Murray has written a novel that is wildly entertaining and deeply moving, and told with such deft management of time as he unspools the family’s slow-burning secrets that I cannot imagine any reader not relishing this page-turning pleasure.

656 pages that rarely get hung up or slow down too much, and the tension ratchets up and up, and when I was reading this late at night, I'd have to put it down, and then pick it back up. A family drama, a family soap opera, a generational tale, at times funny in a very dry way, set in post-crash Ireland, in a small rural town and in Dublin, moving back and forward in time as we meet and learn all about an Irish family - Dickie Barnes, who from childhood was slated by his up-from-the-bootstraps father to take over his VW car showrooms, married for 20 years to Imelda, a beauty from a violent and impoverished home, their two children, teenager Cass, angst-ridden, in a toxic best-friendship with Elaine, desperate to be away from home, eager for her college time at Trinity in Dublin, and PJ, a boy with wide-ranging interests, on track to become a bully's delight. Toggling between the lives and perspectives of Dickie, Imelda, Cass and PJ as they deal with various issues - global, weather, climate change, the recession, the failing VW car dealerships, what they want from one another, who Dickie and Imelda were before they were married. The observations, the truths and secrets each character has, about which their family members know nothing, a host of buried secrets, how lives can turn on a dime, on a strange choice made, on a desire to be rid of our prior selves. Vulnerability is at the core here, of ourselves, who we love, the desires within us, our hopes and dreams that get stomped away by the world, by life, by things we do to ourselves. Murray is convincing writing the various generations here - from Maurice, the patriarch who founded the car showrooms, to Dickie, but also to the woman's perspective of Imelda, and those of a teenage girl and a young boy. I did not guess any of the secrets. Reveals that are made turn out to have another level, and the ending, even as I began slowly to understand, still shocked me. This is the first novel by Murray I've read, but I'm now interested to read his others.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for an ARC.

This is a hard one for me. I liked it overall, but honestly, it's just so, so very long. It's never a good sign when you're reading a book and keep thinking, "why is this so long?" Also, I really disliked the ending. A LOT.

But first all the pluses (and there are a lot of them.) The core story is really beautiful and well-written. The majority of the book is a deep dive with each of the four characters in the family. By the time to you get to the two parent's stories, things start to get interesting (as a child's view of their parents is never accurate or well-developed.) Also, a parent I can say that this author writes children and teens well.

After these four verrrrrry long flashbacks, we start to alternate chapters between the four characters, and then, toward the end, alternate paragraphs between the four when they all come together in one place where something tragic is set up to happen. The structure is pretty lovely. But again, it takes a long time to get to this point where the pacing goes from glacial to speedy.

To be honest, this is a dark book. But, watching these stories unspool is fascinating, (if you're into these characters. If you're not, it'll feel like a total snooze fest) giving you a front row seat into why this family is the way it is, how trauma gets passed down through generations, and how secrets can fester.

I wouldn't say I necessarily loved this book, but I did appreciate it and found it memorable. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

TRIGGER WARNING: abuse, rape

Thank you so much Hamish Hamilton and NetGalley for letting me read and review The Bee Sting.

I'll start by saying two things:

1. The book took me a while to finish because of it's gigantic size. The time taken had nothing to do with being bored or wanting to quit. I apologise it took me nearly a month.
2. I was loving the book so much, I actually went out and bought a copy and started on page 1 again.

The Bee Sting is a fabulous novel. Following the Barnes family during a tumultuous period in each of their lives, we go on a mammoth of journey, learning how the family are keeping secrets from one another and - simply - trying to survive and remain sane.

I won't give any spoilers. I will say that each character is fascinating and sympathetic and worthy of a novel in their own right. In a way, Murray does (sort of do this). As in give each character their own novel, since storylines develop and often go on for 150 pages or so at a time.

Murray is easily my favourite novelist now. I've bought each of his books and plan on revisiting them. I don't think I finished Mark and the Void for whatever reason, so maybe I'll go back to that one first.

Anyway. The Bee Sting is a fantastic novel. I will give it 4 stars, but in my mind it's really 4.5 - but I can't do half a star. The only thing stopping this book from being a star higher is the length. Some other reviewers stated that it could've been shorter, and I do agree. Sections could've been shortened. But it is what it is. The book was never dull and kept me highly entertained for nearly 650 pages. I will reread this too and hopefully get it signed some day.

I highly recommend The Bee Sting and actively encourage you to buy a comedy, especially if you enjoy family centred comedy-dramas.

Mr Murray, good job. Fair play.

This latest novel from the acclaimed author of Skippy Dies is a LOT. It's a lot of pages, a lot of characters, a lot of writing styles and a lot of Irish angst. Because of all that this novel contains, I think I might enjoy it more in audiobook which might give me some audible clues as to some of the tone and switchbacks here. As it is, I did, ultimately, enjoy this novel, although, I almost quit reading on more than one occasion.

3.5 stars. First things first, Paul Murray's writing is objectively gorgeous. I love the prose and the style, except for the lack of punctuation.

This is a lengthy narrative with multiple POVs and a cacophony of wacky characters and events — certain things worked for me, but others didn't. PJ's chapters were difficult for me to read, as I personally am not a fan of reading from a child's perspective. Cass and Imelda were my favorites! I found the story to be plodding and slow until the plot twist around the halfway mark, so hang in there if you're on the fence at 40%, alright? It does pick up, almost dizzyingly so.

Overall, I'm still not sure how I feel about this read? It's something I'll probably pick up again in the future because of this mixed reaction. I wish it were about half the length, so maybe I'll audiobook the reread!

Thank you to Paul Murray, FSG Books, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

A family on a downward spiral is explored through through the eyes of each of its members. Though blurbs are referring to its humor, there is little to find funny in between the pages. It is however, a good view on how parental history informs how the offspring will view their own lives and potentially poor decision making.
The title, The Bee Sting, references something in particular within the plot. But just like in real life, things aren't always what they seem.
We follow Dickie, the eldest but least popular son trying to fill in for the absence of his brother, Frank, to include marrying his brother's grieving fiancée. That mistake reverberates throughout their lives and into their children's lives. Dickie is burying his mid-life/existential crisis in the construction of an end-of-the-world bunker with a local man that seems to have a few screws loose.
Cass, the daughter, has lost respect for Dickie as the family business fails and her standing within her peer group is threatened as is her upcoming attendance to Uni.
His wife, Imelda, fearing public judgement due to financial disaster, is selling off her abundance of purchases while questioning her life decisions.
And then there is the son, PJ, who desperately wants some attention and security in his life. With no one available to him, he seeks friendship in the world of the internet.
Chapters will take you back and forth from before Dickie was married then again to the present which gives the reader a better balance as to how each character arrived to the point of combustion. As in real life, the characters are complicated and multidimensional and as their history is revealed, an understanding is developed for their personalities and foibles.
Overly long but a good read nonetheless.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for access to an early e-copy. All opinions are my own.

The Bee Sting
By Paul Murray

I confess that this book has left me confused. Is it a young adult book? Is it a saga of a family in decline? Does it have almost an x-rated feel in parts?

I could not build any real interest in the story because I could not figure out what the point of the story actually is. And the multiple sections dealing with computer gaming tuned me right out. I just couldn't finish reading the book. I do think it might find a more receptive audience in the young adult category.

The Bee Sting slowly dissects the familial relationships of the Barnes family who live in a small town in rural Ireland. Dickie, the father, seems to have inherent intelligence that applies well to some areas, but he is also a failed businessman and seems to struggle socially and as a father. Imelda, the mother, is apparently a great beauty but a challenged parent. Cass, the teenage daughter who is off to university in Dublin seems confused by her relationship with her village friend, Elaine. Dickie, when he went to university, also had a dark relationship with Willie, and both of these couples seem to have had relationships that are a bit unsettling.

The interruption of long stretches throughout the book without punctuation seems jarring and questionable.

This long book develops the quixotic plot and the various perspectives of all of the characters. Occasionally, there are interruptions and abrupt plot twists, the most notable being the building of the shed (or bunker) near the family house. The weft and warp of plot is sometimes easy to understand and sometimes not, but the families' interweaving of points of view propels the book forward.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was not for me. It’s a family drama, presented from different points of view, chronicling a lifestyle and family era going down the tubes. It begins with narration from the teen daughter, Cass. I found her point of view mildly amusing and somewhat engaging, as I could relate to some of her experiences and feelings. Then the narrative switches to that of PJ, the preadolescent son. And that’s where the author totally lost me. PJ’s narrative was so heavily dependent upon video games and text messaging, I had to just give it up. I’m a mature reader who loves a good story, witty dialogue, compelling plots and intelligent writing. I didn’t find those elements in this selection. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I turned the last page of THE BEE STING, I sat for a good 30 minutes on the beach quite literally stunned without words. The pacing reminded me of THE LUMINARIES (slow start that rapidly escalates) and the second half had the slow burn literary thriller vibes of YOUNG MUNGO or BIRNAM WOOD.

THE BEE STING is almost exclusively told from the four Barnes family members in turn, looking back on the past and worrying about the future. I’m hesitant to say much more because this book is best served without a lot of set up (even the Kirkus review gave up too much, in my opinion). The unveiling of story is the gem of THE BEE STING. This is truly a kaleidoscope of a book, where each section shifts the perspective and brings new light to the narrative. Murray is accomplishing so much without ever being heavy-handed or didactic.

The Bee Sting is a poignant family drama. The economic downturn has brought financial crisis to the Barnes family, which then opens old wounds and digs up some dark family history. There were times the book felt very long, but the sharp plot turn halfway through was an exciting surprise. Once revealed, this key piece of info from Dickie’s past changed everything I thought I knew about the characters. The whole setup was very well done, it was neither predictable nor outrageously out of place. I didn’t see it coming but once it was revealed I couldn’t believe I had missed it.

Some of the writing was simply not my taste. The chapters written from Imelda’s perspective had no punctuation, which drives me bananas. I did not enjoy how the final section was written in the second person, and I didn’t like not knowing what happened at the end (although I suppose it was implied.)

I loved it!!!
The structure of this book worked very well for me. That, at the beginning, each chapter is narrated by each of the family members means that we get to know the perspective and circumstances of each of them, as well as the story behind the adults.
Each character is very well developed, with an easily distinguishable voice of their own. Even the lack of punctuation in Imelda's narration, which at first was difficult to follow, makes a lot of sense, because it gave me an insight into her chaotic inner world.
The part entitled Age of Loneliness is very apt because, in my opinion, that is where the problem lies: they are four lonely people, who share blood and surnames but who don't communicate with each other.
I particularly enjoyed appreciating the difference between the childhoods of the parents and the children, as I saw the difference between my own and my children's childhoods.
The last chapter is fast-paced, to the point of tachycardia, impossible to stop reading. But that "interruptus" ending has subtracted half a star. And it wasn't more because I really enjoyed the way to the end.
Despite having read positive reviews of the author's previous book, I hadn't read anything of his. Now I can say that he has won me over to his cause.

¡¡¡Me ha encantado!!!
La estructura de este libro ha funcionado muy bien para mí. Que, al principio, cada capítulo esté narrado por cada uno de los miembros de la familia hace que conozcamos la perspectiva y circunstancias de cada uno de ellos, además de la historia que hay detrás de los adultos.
Cada personaje está muy bien desarrollado, con una voz propia fácilmente distinguible. Incluso la falta de puntuación de la narración de Imelda, lo cual en un primer momento se hizo difícil de seguir, tiene mucho sentido, porque me hizo comprender su caótico mundo interior.
Muy acertada la parte titulada Age of Loneliness pues, a mi entender, es ahí donde radica el problema: son cuatro personas solas, que comparten sangre y apellidos pero que no se comunican.
Me ha gustado especialmente apreciar la diferencia entre las infancias que tuvieron los padres y la que tienen los hijos ya que he visto reflejada la diferencia entre la mía propia y la de mis hijos.
El último capítulo es trepidante, hasta el punto de llegar a la taquicardia, imposible parar de leer. Pero ese final interruptus le ha restado media estrella. Y no ha sido más porque he disfrutado mucho el camino hasta ese final.
A pesar de haber leído reseñas positivas del anterior libro del autor, no había leído nada suyo. Ahora puedo decir que me ha ganado para su causa.

A mammoth book that is not for everyone. I have a feeling that the readers will be quite divided on the review. There are times when nothing happens and then time where everything seems to happen all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed Murray's writing. This was my first book by the author and I will be seeking more works.

4.5 Stars

This is one that won’t appeal to all, although there are moments that are relatable, as well as captivating, overall I think this is one that many will love, and some will not. The length, a little over 650 pages, will put some people off, which is a shame.

This is a story of family, and so much more than that including love, marriage, death, loss, abuse, and an effort that goes into promises we make to ourselves - to be a better person, the kind we’d like to think that we are, or are at least capable of being. There’s also an aspect of this which seems to weave in and out of the story of a coming apocalypse, and prepping for the end of days.

The crash that left many families in financial distress in 2008 has left this family on the edge of losing everything. They are barely hanging on to the business that Dickie, the father, owns. His wife, Imelda, is prodding him to go to his father to help them out. His teenage daughter, Cass, is - like most teenagers - is going through the things many teen girls go through, while her brother, PJ is going through a growing spurt, and nothing fits him anymore.

This dark comedy covers several themes that don’t feel connected as this begins, but come together as the story continues. It strives to cover and connect these lives of these people who seem pretty determined to set themselves apart from each other. At times - to me - if felt disconnected, and I questioned how these various people’s stories were going to connect, but eventually, it all merges into one unforgettable story.


Pub Date: 15 Aug 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

I've read and enjoyed ALL of Murray's books and thank him and his pubslisher for letting me get my hands of this one early. Loved it! A joy to read.

Having been raised in Ireland I thoroughly enjoy the "Irishisms", especially of the rural folk and how the parents converse with their kids. It was a nice nostaligic read for me personally as I really understand how big moving to Dublin still is for country kids.

I adored all the messed up characters and as a reader empathized with most of them, even those I didn't like. (Maurice). I think PJ was my favorite..

The coming of age stories of Cass and PJ were very realisitically portrayed. The father- son relationships and the treatment of grief were fantastically portrayed. I appreciated the lessons on climate change and know that young people in Ireland are currently terrified by this reality.

It's a funny book with a dark background. This reader loves that. My only slight on this wonderful work would be that I do think this could have been a lot shroter with a tighter edit. I think the reader could have been trusted to fill in some things if need be to get the same results.

Thanks!

Really enjoyed this big, messy family drama. Murray does hope and despair -- and human-ness -- so, so well.

Interestingly written, with believable dialogue, unfortunately I had a hard time connecting with the story and the characters. I had to work my way through the length, which got tiresome at times. The author is a talented writer with a keen eye on the human condition, but this this just didn't work for me.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.