The Bee Sting

By: Paul Murray

Narrated by: Heather O’Sullivan, Barry Fitzgerald, Beau Holland, Ciaran O'Brien, Lisa Caruccio Came

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

A masterpiece

Absolutely loved this book. No notes. Soaring, heartbreaking, lyrical, funny, tense, full of wisdom. And beautifully narrated.

Outstanding story and fantastic actors

I held my breath listening to a couple of parts of this book! Absolutely loved it. The ability to stand in the shoes of each diverse character so believably - what a talent! The actors were phenomenal.

Beautiful story

A Slow start but a beautiful haunting story that captivates the listener. Beautifully read too.

So sorry it ended!

Loved this saga. Worth all the Best Seller Hype! Beautifully performed, accents and story telling authentic and engaging! Might be my best 2023 listen, although there are close contenders., Paul Murray ❤️

Very enjoyable - tale of modern Ireland

I got very involved in the characters - but I found the ending a big too brusque