Author: Paul Murray
Published: 2023
Pages: 642
Prize: Nero Book Award – Winner 2023 | Shortlist, Man Booker 2023
         |
please note that subscription libraries change over time; regional restrictions may apply
The Bee Sting is a poignant and darkly humorous novel that explores the intertwined lives of the dysfunctional O’Leary family in contemporary Ireland. As they navigate personal crises, secrets, and the complexities of love and loss, the story delves into themes of resilience and the search for connection. With rich character development and sharp wit, Murray crafts a compelling narrative that captures the struggles and triumphs of everyday life.
Complexity
CEFR: C1
Plot Complexity: rich
Language Complexity: moderate
Ideas Complexity: rich
Blurb
The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie’s once-lucrative car business is going under―but rather than face the music, he’s spending his days in the woods, building an apocalypse-proof bunker with a renegade handyman. His wife Imelda is selling off her jewelry on eBay, while their teenage daughter Cass, formerly top of her class, seems determined to binge-drink her way through her final exams. And twelve-year-old PJ is putting the final touches to his grand plan to run away from home.
Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favor to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil―can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? And if the story has already been written―is there still time to find a happy ending?
Be the first to comment