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The Bee Sting

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The Bee Sting

By: Paul Murray
Narrated by: Heather O’Sullivan, Barry Fitzgerald, Beau Holland, Ciaran O'Brien, Lisa Caruccio Came
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION 2023
WINNER OF AN POST IRISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WRITERS’ PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024

The Barnes family are in trouble. Until recently they ran the biggest business in town, now they’re teetering on the brink of bankruptcy – and that’s just the start of their problems. Dickie and Imelda’s marriage is hanging by a thread; straight-A student Cass is careening off the rails; PJ is hopelessly in debt to the school bully. Meanwhile the ghosts of old mistakes are rising out of the past to meet them, but everyone’s too wrapped up in the present to see the danger looming . . .

'A tragicomic triumph. You won't read a sadder, truer, funnier novel this year' Guardian

'Generous, immersive, sharp-witted and devastating; the sort of novel that becomes a friend for life' Financial Times

‘Paul Murray [is] the undisputed reigning champion of epic Irish tragicomedy’ Spectator

‘An instant classic’ Washington Post

‘[An] astute, remorselessly funny novel’ Daily Mirror

‘A wagyu steak of a novel . . . A classic in the mode of The Corrections’ The Times

©2023 Paul Murray (P)2023 Penguin Audio Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Funny Comedy
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I read approximately two books per week and generally only give star reviews, but this one deserved some actual comments. I can count on one hand the times I have gone out of my way to provide written comments.
At times excruciating (in a good way) in its pathos. This novel had me on edge (again in a good way) all the way through. Despite being able to guess major plot points, it did not stop the reveal from building in adrenaline. The writing and language was superb. I imagine the themes will stick with me for quite sometime. It is definitely one of those novels that you ruminate over long after you have finished it.
The voice acting was brilliant and only added to the story. An all round quality production.

Absolutely Phenomenal

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A wonderful, thought-provoking story and excellent performances; so very engaging! Gripping until the very end!

Fantastic!

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I just finished this very long story and the ending is not what I expected. I probably need to sit with it a bit, but not sure if I would have started it if I’d known how it ends.

Frustrating ending

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It’s hard to understand how Paul Murray pulled a tale this intricate off. Each party is narrated by a different character that sheds new light on the events in the book. As you go your sympathies change. Hateful characters generate new affection when you see things through their eyes. Plot points are not what you thought.

‘Intersectionality’ is really the word here, and my god, I just don’t know how he managed to write something like this. It’s genius.

That said the ending is the bee sting in the tail. Not quite what I was hoping for; but perhaps that’s just me. Certainly worthy of your time though, it was very difficult to put down.

An intricately spun tale that is a masterwork in plotting.

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What a writer! Left a bit speechless by the end. Loved the characters, and even if I didn’t know where he was taking me as a reader, I went willingly with him. Loved it.

Cracking read

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Enormously suspenseful, absorbing and insightful-and then we are left hanging at the end. It felt like a betrayal of the trust between writer and reader. Or was it to make us ponder?

Ending felt like a betrayal

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This completely sucked me in. A surprising, gripping story. Family tension and love.
Ending felt a bit abrupt though

Amazing story

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Such fabulous depictions of what it must feel like to go through each crisis from the perspectives of each family member.

Wow! What an epic story.

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I didn’t enjoy this very depressing book. There was no joy in it at all. Disappointing.

Depressing

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Excellent narrators, delivering a wonderful performance of this powerful and surprising story. I loved it! Interesting and well-rounded characters, in a tale that twists and turns all the way through.

Poetic and compelling

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