“We Try to make ourselves the way we think we’re expected to be. So many of the bad things that happen in the world come from people pretending to be something they’re not.”

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is a tragicomic novel that delves into the lives of the Barnes family living in a small Irish town during a time similar to the market crash of 2008. The story closely follows four main characters: Dickie, Imelda, Cass, and PJ. Through their perspectives, we navigate a kaleidoscope of voices, uncovering the fateful events of a wedding day and the shocking secrets hidden beneath the surface. Murray skillfully explores the consequences of pretending to be something one is not, weaving a narrative that is both humorous and heart-wrenching.

If you love a novel full of emotional tension this is the book for you. I found myself pulled by each of the Barnes storylines. Murray encapsulates the voices of each of the characters by structurally reflecting their thoughts in the prose. For example, Imelda’s sections are without punctuation and are wrought with sentences of contradicting ideas that collide with the actions she takes. Mimicking some one who may be trying to just survive her traumas and grief. Also, Cass had sections written in a lyrical voice, reflecting that her internal life was truly that of a poet.

I highly recommend spending an afternoon with the Barnes family through this remarkable book. It stands out, by far, as one of the best novels I've read this year–enveloping you in its story and delivering a powerful message.