The Bee Sting | Paul Murray

Included on "best of" lists from many sources, The Bee Sting is billed as a tragicomic novel by Irish author, Paul Murray. I haven't read his earlier works, but there's no question he's Irish and an exceptionally gifted writer. While there are funny asides, this richly drawn, long novel is dark and, in my view, more tragedy than comedy. The action centers around the Barnes family in a small Irish town. Dickie Barnes is the owner of the family business, a car dealership started by his father, Maurice, that's suffering a big downturn from the 2008 recession and his deficiencies as a businessperson. His wife is Imelda, considered to be the most beautiful girl in four counties, was planning to marry Dickie's brother (and family/town golden child) Frank. When Frank dies Dickie steps up to marry Imelda who is pregnant. Imelda comes from poverty, and a highly dysfunctional family on the other side of the tracks. They have two children, Cass, a teenager just heading off to university, and PJ a 12-year old boy who struggles socially. Actually all the characters struggle to figure out who they are. Climate change factors into the pressures facing the Barnes family, from both the kids who are realizing the impact of their lives on the planet, and on Dickie who gets involved in building a bunker with his very creepy handyman. The writing is hard-knuckled. Murray pulls no punches building out his characters. The language is strong, urgent and pulls you through the book (which is great since it's pretty darn long at 656 pages). So much happens and spoilers aren't allowed here, so you'll just have to read it. The book's title figures throughout the story, but the story behind it is revealed late in the book. All in all, a meaty, thought-provoking read. If you have a friend or book club reading it, it could bring a lot of discussion. I fall into the camp of wishing there was a bit more at the ending to draw to the conclusion.