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The Bee Sting

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The Bee Sting

Written by: Paul Murray
Narrated by: Heather O’Sullivan, Barry Fitzgerald, Beau Holland, Ciaran O'Brien, Lisa Caruccio Came
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Buy Now for ₹1,093.00

Buy Now for ₹1,093.00

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
Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction
All stars
Most relevant
We care deeply about the four main characters and the narrators have done a beautiful job

Heartbreaking story and amazing narration

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the hung ending and the usual tropes which were introduced midway deterred me from giving this book the otherwise deserved 5 star.

interpersonal relationships

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Enjoyed listening to each person’s perspective through the journey. A story about how every decision has an effect on not just the person making the choice.

A roller coaster!

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Great story, beautiful writing with words that wake all kinds of emotions. Just the ending is bit weird and incomplete, hope there’s a second part which ties it up.

Weird Ending

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This only gets better as you keep going. So keep going. If you don't find yourself in those woods, if you don't find your heart starting to race as you listen on, I'll be very surprised. :)

Edge.Of.My.Seat.

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