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Honeybee cover art

Honeybee

By: Craig Silvey
Narrated by: Harvey Zielinski
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Publisher's Summary

The highly anticipated new novel by the best-selling author of Jasper Jones. 

Find out who you are, and live that life.

Late in the night, 14-year-old Sam Watson steps onto a quiet overpass, climbs over the rail and looks down at the road far below.

At the other end of the same bridge, an old man, Vic, smokes his last cigarette.

The two see each other across the void. A fateful connection is made, and an unlikely friendship blooms. Slowly, we learn what led Sam and Vic to the bridge that night. Bonded by their suffering, each privately commits to the impossible task of saving the other.

Honeybee is a heart-breaking, life-affirming novel that throws us headlong into a world of petty thefts, extortion plots, botched bank robberies, daring dog rescues and one spectacular drag show.

At the heart of Honeybee is Sam: a solitary, resilient young person battling to navigate the world as their true self; ensnared by a loyalty to a troubled mother, scarred by the volatility of a domineering step-father and confounded by the kindness of new alliances.

Honeybee is a tender, profoundly moving novel brimming with vivid characters and luminous words. It's about two lives forever changed by a chance encounter - one offering hope, the other redemption. It's about when to persevere and when to be merciful as Sam learns when to let go and when to hold on.

©2020 Craig Silvey (P)2020 W F Howes

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What listeners say about Honeybee

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Simply glorious

Without doubt, the best book I have listened to in a very, very long time.

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27 people found this helpful

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One you wont forget

A beautiful story, insightful and kind, an inspirational story though sad at times. Very well read.

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21 people found this helpful

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Heartfelt

Beautiful story Craig Silvey. A beautiful book so well written and Descriptive of a boy trying to fit into this world. Obviously well researched to show us the life of a troubled but adorable character. Honeybee is a wonderful human being and right till the end his lovely nature shone through to give us the perspective we need to have.

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18 people found this helpful

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Intensely riveting, exquisitely narrated

Sam's story covers so much territory. His struggle for survival at the most basic level is an intense roller-coaster ride . The narrator skilfully guides us through the tumult, creating authentic characterisations, capturing the tenderness, chaos and cruelty of the journey. Most importantly, we experience the heartbreak of having to continually deny who you really are.

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17 people found this helpful

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Not what you'd usually read? Read it anyway.

Beautiful story, Brilliantly narrated, Insightful and Inspiring. The use of swear words in this story could be off putting to more sensitive readers but to them I can only say real life is not a cozy bubble and neither is this book. This book and it's connection to Reality means more and gives a whole lot more than a cozy bubble ever could.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Ben
  • 03-01-2022

Super gritty

Fair warning - this is a super gritty book. Drugs, violence, frequent heavy coarse language, crime… etc. I struggled to get through it because it is a bit of a “heavy” book with few moments of happiness.

There are definitely characters that have depth and dimension, and there are story elements that keep things moving along. But I found it hard going.

That said, the narrator does a great job, adding great depth to the characters with unique voices for each. His performance made the book finishable.

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11 people found this helpful

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Innovative storyline of our day

The booked is very well paced, introducing a variety of wonderful characters with great storylines. Also capturing a lot of what is relevant and happening for young people today. Bubbling down to the message of 'Kindness and giving being a key to life'.

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10 people found this helpful

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I need more Honeybee!

Such a beautiful story of survival with complex relationships and larger than life characters. I want more - I need there to be a follow up book - not ready to let Honeybee go!

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9 people found this helpful

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Amazing!!

Wow! I couldn’t stop listening. This book has all the feels and is full of love and strength and compassion. Everyone should read this one!

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8 people found this helpful

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Beautiful, moving, heartbreaking

The most heartbreakingly beautiful book I’ve read in a long time. If only it didn’t end.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Anonymous User
  • 03-11-2023

Wonderful story

This is a wonderful and thought provoking story. Well written by Craig and well read by Harvey!

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  • Julia
  • 14-04-2023

Amazing read

So touching, I cant stop thinking about this amazing book. Amazing characters and great storyline. A must read

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  • gregglz
  • 24-10-2022

oh, honeybee.

this is such a touching story of growth, loving, and living. It reaches deep into the truth of the human struggle and the desperate need for empathy in all we say and do.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 29-05-2022

A beautiful book.

A beautiful book that will stay with you forever. I couldn't put it down.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 16-04-2022

your love you share is the most important

loved the story and the outcome we need more understanding of what our youth are going through I love them all you have a special place in this world be true to your self and have a beautiful and happy life love to you all syl xxx

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