The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The novel follows the lives of the Barnes family, who are grappling with the aftermath of financial ruin and personal loss. Imelda, the matriarch, struggles to maintain a semblance of normalcy while her husband, Dickie, retreats into a world of his own making. Their children, Cass and PJ, each cope in their own ways, with Cass rebelling against societal expectations and PJ retreating into fantasy. As secrets unravel and tensions mount, the family's resilience is tested, revealing the complexities of love, loyalty, and survival in the face of adversity.
The 3166th greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 2023
- Nationality
- Irish
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 500-600
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.1)
- Alternate Titles
- None
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 10 lists:
- 7th on Best 25 Irish books of the 21st century: how readers voted (The Irish Times)
- 7th on The 100 Greatest Books of 2023 (The Greatest Books)
- 22nd on The 100 best Irish books of the 21st century (The Irish Times)
- 71st on Australia’s Radio National top 100 books of the 21st century (ABC Radio national)
- 94th on Readers Pick Their 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (NY Times)
- 198th on The Greatest Books of 2024 - Honorable Mention (The Greatest Books)
- 2239th on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- Best Fiction Books of the 21st Century (So Far) (Kirkus Reviews)
- The 100 Best Novels Of All Time (Runners-Up) (The Guardian)
- What the New York Times Missed: 71 More of the Best Books of the 21st Century (Lit Hub)