Bossy Librarian
  • Home
  • Blog
  • AUTHORS
  • About

Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia

5/26/2020

16 Comments

 

​No Spoiler Book Review

Murmur of Bees
To put it simply, Murmur of Bees is a family saga set in early 1900s Mexico. It follows multiple generations of a small town farming and ranching family.
​
​But, Oh My Gawd! There is so much more to this stunning story. 
​
​​This book is told in two timelines, with multiple perspectives. There is the ancient man looking back on his life, and the stories of the people who lived through the ongoing wars, corruption and the Spanish Influenza outbreak of the time.


One of the things I love about this book is that it is written like a tall tale. They are living through the time of legends. The time of Coyotes and Lions.

This book is full of beautiful imagery and symbolism. The family’s connection to the land is so exquisitely written, it is impossible to know if the family represents the land or the land represents the family. And I’m not even going to get into the bees and Simonopio, you’ll just have to read Murmur of Bees to see for yourself.

This book was originally published in Spanish, so I think it is important to acknowledge the translator. Books can so easily be lost in translation. Not only is the story cohesive and the language flawless, but it is lyrical and poetic. I will never know how this read in the original Spanish, but thanks to Simon Bruni, I was able to enjoy this book without ever feeling like I was reading a translation.
​
Murmur of Bees is historical fiction with magical realism. Fans of the Alchemist by Coelho will love the folklore feel of the story. Fans of the Good Earth will love the relationship between the family and the land. Anyone interested in Mexican History and culture will enjoy this book.
Murmur of Bees Book Mood Board
Murmur of Bees Book Mood Board
Goodreads Summary
From a beguiling voice in Mexican fiction comes an astonishing novel—her first to be translated into English—about a mysterious child with the power to change a family’s history in a country on the verge of revolution.

From the day that old Nana Reja found a baby abandoned under a bridge, the life of a small Mexican town forever changed. Disfigured and covered in a blanket of bees, little Simonopio is for some locals the stuff of superstition, a child kissed by the devil. But he is welcomed by landowners Francisco and Beatriz Morales, who adopt him and care for him as if he were their own. As he grows up, Simonopio becomes a cause for wonder to the Morales family, because when the uncannily gifted child closes his eyes, he can see what no one else can—visions of all that’s yet to come, both beautiful and dangerous. Followed by his protective swarm of bees and living to deliver his adoptive family from threats—both human and those of nature—Simonopio’s purpose in Linares will, in time, be divined.

Set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and the devastating influenza of 1918, The Murmur of Bees captures both the fate of a country in flux and the destiny of one family that has put their love, faith, and future in the unbelievable. 

For more Can't Wait Book Lists, No Spoiler Book Reviews and Articles from the Library Life, subscribe below!
​

    Stay Connected!

Subscribe to Newsletter
Check back on Thursday for an Adult Summer Reading Club Book List!
16 Comments
Sara Lili link
5/26/2020 01:42:22 pm

Sounds like an excellent and interesting read

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/27/2020 09:39:27 am

Definitely recommend for when you are in the mood for something profound!

Reply
Jane -33SouthTextworks link
5/27/2020 08:02:01 am

Nice review!

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/27/2020 09:42:16 am

Thanks for commenting!

Reply
Claire link
5/27/2020 08:05:42 am

This sounds like a lovely book. I’ve never read a book that’s been translated from its original language so that interests me.

Lockdown has me loving reading again, I’m going to add this to my wish list x

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/27/2020 09:43:27 am

Let me know when you end up reading it!

Reply
Alex Raphael link
5/27/2020 02:28:36 pm

Sounds fantastic!

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/29/2020 09:00:45 am

It's a gorgeous book!

Reply
Juliana
5/27/2020 05:50:04 pm

Wow.. Going to try and find this book in my local library!

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/29/2020 09:01:12 am

I hope they have it!

Reply
Amber link
5/28/2020 09:55:39 am

I haven't read a book other than a picture book in forever! This sounds really interesting and I can't wait to see what is on your summer reading list!

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/29/2020 09:02:15 am

I completely understand! Been there myself! Hopefully, you find some good books to read on my SRC list!

Reply
Aditya Prakash pandey link
5/29/2020 12:46:46 am

this is an interesting read awesome one
https://freakingsavant.blogspot.com/
check out my blog

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/29/2020 09:02:43 am

Yes! It is great!

Reply
Raji link
5/29/2020 08:46:22 am

This sounds like a wonderful read, and I'm definitely in the mood to read deep historical fiction right now! Thanks for the review!

Reply
Alison Kelly
5/29/2020 09:03:23 am

Good choice if you are looking for a deep book.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Alison Kelly

    Archives

    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

    Categories

    All
    Book Lists
    Book Reviews
    Interviews
    Library Life

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • AUTHORS
  • About