The Bee Sting
By Paul Murray
Set in Ireland, this novel examines how what is happening on a global scale can impact the everyday world of a family and their individual dilemmas, it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end – no mean feat given that it is nearly 650 pages! I could not put it down.
This book generated so much discussion, there was so much to say. I made copious notes on the blank pages, which will upset some readers but when I feel compelled to write my thoughts down and mark pages, I know I have read something brilliant. I think the sign of a good book is well thumbed pages and some notes to self!
There were so many themes to discuss… we talked a lot about family and the representation of family in the novel. Were they ever functioning as a unit? We thought so – on some level.
The ending caused controversy amongst us and everyone had an opinion. The structure and why Murray changed to a script like form at the end was interesting but definitely created tension and quickened the pace so that the ending was very well managed! In fact, the whole narrative structure was interesting. You really got to know each character in the longer chapters as they narrative voice switched between them, giving each their own perspective on the action. And you could hear each individual voice so clearly. Loved how Murray used no punctuation for Imelda’s voice, it took some getting used to but it mirrored her personality! Not loved by all though… The fact that you became the characters through the use of second person at the end also divided opinion but I loved the Murray played with the reader like this!
The sense of foreboding was so clever and compelling, you lived in fear for all the characters and needed to know if they escaped the sense of impending doom.
There were mixed opinions about Dickie and Imelda and how we felt about them, but general sympathy was with PJ! Poor PJ.
Overall, I would definitely recommend.
