Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Fazzer A. asked this question about The Bee Sting (International Edition):
Hey, question about the ending (so please do not continue reading unless you have finished the book): How do you interpret the ending? Though a part of me refuses to believe it, unfortunately, I think there are cues that Dickie has resolved to shoot his children...
Rose Great discussions, love reading everyone interpretations.

Another aspect of this book that hasn’t been mentioned is the title. Only in the very last p…moreGreat discussions, love reading everyone interpretations.

Another aspect of this book that hasn’t been mentioned is the title. Only in the very last part of the book is it revealed that there was no bee sting. This is a cover story for a much more shocking truth; Imelda’s father physically abused her (by hitting her in the face with a beer can, with his likely intention to kill her if fate hadn’t intervened) on the way to her wedding day. All the way through the public display of the wedding Imelda keeps her father’s secret and maintains the cover story. Afterwards Dickie and Imelda both keep this story for the rest of their marriage (eg when one of their kids asks why there are no wedding photos Dickie says it was due to a bee sting). The reader is kept from this little shock wave of truth until nearing the very end.

The fact the author chooses to call the book by a ruse seems significant to me.

Even though, as a previous critic has said, a theme of this book was near misses. There is also a theme of horrific truths (forewarnings about climate change eg persistent floods and droughts cutting off the grid, pesticides that destroy bees memories, the kiddy fiddler, child abuse, male rape, a man who killed his whole family etc). Is the ending another horrific truth?

I think there is enough evidence, themes and narratives in this book to conclude it could equally be another near miss or that it could go completely and most horrifically wrong. If you asked the author I think he would say something to this effect. I think he purposely set it so it’s really goddarn ambiguous.

What an unsettling conclusion to the neat little ending we are always used to. Not an easy read by any stretch and one that definitely hangs around. I won’t be passing on this book to a friend. Rather, leave it in my local book swap library for some other poor unsuspecting stranger.(less)
flag
More questions about The Bee Sting…
Image for The Bee Sting
The Bee Sting
by Paul Murray
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more