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61 pages 2 hours read

Paul Murray

The Bee Sting

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years