The Murmur of Bees

This book of historical fiction is set in Linares, #Mexico. With subtle magical realism, it follows the life of Simonopio, the bees that swaddled him as a babe when he was born, and the family that found and raised him. Simonopio is mostly mute. born with a facial deformity (probably a cleft lip), causing some in his small Mexican town to believe him to be a demon & at least one wishing to kill him. Simonopio’s godparents are landowners, who lovingly tend the land, with a number of sharecroppers and their families in a work-to-own arrangement. They rightfully fear Mexico’s agrarian reforms that threatened to take their ancestral family’s land and losing all they’ve worked for. Simonopio, even as a small child, makes himself and show more his bees the family’s protectors given his unusual skills to read nature and the future dangers that the family is to encounter over the years. It’s an immense task for him, to which he’s dedicated his life. This is his story and the story of his bees. The storytelling is mesmerizing. The narration was the best I’ve ever listened to and this book is now a favorite I hope to read again and again. show less

This book was given to me as a gift, and I am glad because I may not have read it otherwise. I hadn't heard much about it. This is as close to a perfect book as you can get. Bearing in mind, that this book was written in Spanish, and I read the English translation, it's safe to assume that some of the descriptions and beautiful language from the original copy have not been recreated exactly. I would love to be able to read this book in Spanish to get the full effect of the perfectness. My book was translated by Simon Brunt. This is a most remarkable and magical book. The language, the characters, the human interplays, as well as the accurate historical events it depicts are all wrapped up in one beautiful package. The book begins in show more November 1918 and the Spanish flu is running rampant through the world. This is particularly poignant now with the current pandemic, and all of the concerns, worry, desperation and longing for returning to normalcy is what we have been and are still experiencing in the present day. The story runs on from there to the Mexican Revolution and all the damage and danger that war caused in Mexico is covered here from the viewpoint of an agrarian family who lived in a small town not far from Monterrey.called Linares Their idyllic world is changed forever when a small infant is found abandoned in the countryside. When he is found he is totally covered in bees which appear to be protecting him, rather than harming him. The infant was born with a cleft palate and really no mouth to speak of. But, in spite of this impediment, the Morales family take him in and treat him as their own son. Simonopio is a gifted and lovable child, and as he grows he becomes more and more important to the Morales family. His destiny is determined by what he does for this family, and how his special gifts and him in particular protect their small son. The prose is heart-stopping and the storyline is breathtaking. I can't recommend this book enough. By far the best that I've read so far this year. Once in awhile, a book comes into my life that has a lasting effect and that leaves me in wonder. This is one of those books. show less

A enchanting story conceived from a small village in northern Mexico. A fantasy in some ways, but more a story with a parable. REVIEW BY JO ANN BUTLERFrom his birth in 1910, it is clear there is something unusual about Simonopio Morales. It isn?t just the birth defect which disfigures the infant?s face and robs him of speech ? when old Nana Reja finds the little boy abandoned under a bridge in Linares, Mexico, Simonopio is blanketed by bees. Though some mutter that the child was disfigured by the devil?s kiss (or the devil himself) the Morales Cort?z family, a prosperous farming clan, adopts Simonopio to raise as their own.Over the ensuing years, the family witnesses marvelous events. Some, like the Spanish Flu of 1917, the 1910 show more Revolution?s land seizures, or a tenant?s jealousy, prove more tangible threats than demonic possession. Through it all, Simonopio repays the Morales? kindness many times over: tending the ancient woman who rescued him or retrieving young Francisco Morales when he strays. It?s clear that there is far more to Simonopio than the swarm of bees which follows him everywhere ? the Morales have a protector with near-supernatural abilities.The Murmur of Bees, an award-winning novel by Mexican author Sofia Segovia, intrigues from the start. Ms. Segovia combines a subtly magical atmosphere and unique, yet believable characters with kinetic narration to craft a story with broad appeal. I particularly loved Ms. Segovia?s vivid depiction of northeastern Mexico, letting this reader explore the area?s pastoral farms and rocky hillsides with Simonopio and his murmuring bees. You will enjoy The Murmur of Bees too! show less

I am not a big fan of translated stories but since I cannot speak Mexican, I had to trust my gut about this book. It was recommended to me by Goodreads and thought why not. Let me expand my knowledge.
I was not disappointed.

Simonopio’s story is written with so much empathy and understanding that I simply could not put this book down. And I believe the translation was spot on because the essences of the story came through in each word and sentence and could I enjoy this historical read to the fullest. The author’s ability to capture my imagination by the amicable storytelling had me from page one.

It is storytelling at its best. As a reader, I was taken on a journey, back in time when Influenza played a huge role in the reshaping of show more the world.
At one stage, I wondered if the 2020 pandemic has influenced my thoughts, since the same changes are visible all around us. But this was worth every minute I spend within this book.

The relevance of the history and Simonopio's story, even today is heartfelt as you venture into this world of surviving everyday life with the unusual boy accompanied by bees. The relationship between man and bees is well-known but, in this story, it felt as if I could understand the hive and their reasons for protecting the boy. The delicate relationship of trust and determination between them added a subtle twist into the story. Knowing that something is about to happen but unsure.
The continual built up gives you glimpses of life on this farm and the people that lived there. The subtle nuances between landowner and workers became part of the suspense. Written in the third person, I had a good understanding of each character’s thoughts which enhanced the storyline greatly.

Simonopio’s character though was absolutely the best to follow. This boy could not speak a word but through the eyes of the author, this character felt like an old soul with so much wisdom that I was mesmerized. His actions are genuine and insightful as you tagged along.

Nana Reja’s character also filled me with curious wonder. Her tale just as unusual and fitting to the story.

Within all these events, evil loomed like dangerous cancer which only the bees were aware of. The bees and Simonopio. An evil with no name but growing in intensity. As his journey continues it grew while the world went off their lives as normal as always.

The trail always leading Simonopio onwards. Seasons come and goes and each time the intensity grows with the boy. Like a fever, it builds till that moment of revelation. The small breaks like the discovery of orange blossoms gave realism to the plot and you are plunged into time, progress and growth.

A book I can recommend to every reader that likes the delicate intricacies of a well-written tale. show less

Simonopio should have never lived, would have never lived, if it weren't for the bees who protected him and ancient Nana Reja who found him against all odds. But he was born with a facial deformity, and considered a monster by some. Not a monster, just a baby, a little boy, who needed care in the eyes of the Morales family. And care for him they did. Even though the bees were always there.

And a coyote, the human kind, but not the smuggling kind. Just the mean, superstitious, resentful kind. And the influenza of 1918, along with repressive government changes.

This is a beautiful book, full of harsh reality and a good dose of magic realism. The combination is lovely, heartbreaking, uplifting. The characters became real. The writing was show more descriptive but not flowery or over the top. I loved this book.

I started listening to the Audible version, and the narrator, Simon Bruni, was very good, but my old ears had trouble with the accent and some of the names, so I ended up reading most of the book. But now that I now the story and the characters' names, I may listen to it for the joy of it. show less

Set in Monterrey, Mexico beginning in the early twentieth century, this historically informed piece of fiction is beautifully written. It begins during the Mexican Revolution, when an old wet nurse (nana) on a large hacienda finds an abandoned baby boy with a cleft palate who is surrounded by bees. The owners of the hacienda, who have two daughters adopt the boy as their godson whom they name Simonpio.

The historical aspects of the novel take them through the skirmishes of the civil war, the 1918 flu epidemic, and post war agrarian reforms implemented by the government. The story exudes warmth and captures the character of the culture. An element of magical realism accompanies Simonopio and the bees who tend to him through out the show more story.

There is some redundancy through the story that sometimes feels repetitive and at other times feels like a way of conveying a cultural aspect of the narrative because it happens most when there is sadness and mourning. There are two narrators to the story: One is omnicient and the other is Francisco Jr. who was born after Simonopio joins the family and becomes his young protege.

I agree with others that this book should receive attention for the quality of the translation. I highly recommend it. show less

I listened to this audiobook over a period of three weeks or so; I had started and stopped it at least once before committing to listen to the whole story. I can’t say why it took me a while to engage with the characters, but that slow start was soon forgotten as I was caught up in a story of magic, loyalty, and love.

Left to die at the side of the road because of his cleft palate, the infant Simonopio lives, thanks to the bees that blanket him with the warmth of their beating wings until he is found. He is raised by landowners Francisco and Beatriz Morales and by the bees, who continue to guide and protect him. In turn, Simonopio protects and cares for Francisco Morales Junior.

This exquisitely crafted story, filled with a mythic magic show more that feels bigger than the story itself, unfolds against the backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and the Mexican Revolution, both of which have profound impacts on the Morales family and on their city of Linares. The point of view moves among among several characters – Francisco Junior speaks in the first person, while Simonopio, Francisco Senior, and Beatriz are all portrayed in third person.

Narrators are Xe Sands and Angelo Di Loreto. Although I preferred Di Loreto, Sands was fine, and eventually I became so engrossed in the story I didn’t care who was speaking.

I don’t know that I have the tools to evaluate a translator or his translation. Actually, I know I don’t have those tools – but this prose is lyrical, sometimes courtly, and sometimes gently humorous. In my uneducated opinion, Simon Bruni’s translation is lovely.

I appreciate a story that intrigues me enough to do some additional research, and that’s exactly what I did after listening to the last, very moving, line of this audiobook. You might be moved to do the same – and what better way to learn about history and geography?

Mostly because of Angelo Di Loreto’s narration, I recommend that you enjoy The Murmur of Bees in audio format. I don’t think you’ll be sorry . show less