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The Murmur of Bees

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The Murmur of Bees

By: Sofia Segovia, Simon Bruni - translator
Narrated by: Xe Sands, Angelo Di Loreto
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About this listen

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.

Sovas Award - Audiobook Narration - Fiction, Best Voiceover - 2019

©2015 by Sofía Segovia. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. English translation © 2019 by Simon Bruni.
Destiny Family Life Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

An Audible Best of 2019 | Top 10 and Best Fiction

"And Sofía Segovia is proof that magical realism is still evolving and breaking barriers." --Tricia, Audible editor

"Acclaimed Mexican author Segovia’s first work translated into English is a gorgeous novel of family, friendship, land, and murderous envy, a tale reminiscent of Isabel Allende’s early tales…With the help of a gifted translator, Segovia skillfully envelops readers, fully engaging their senses and imagination in this wonderful novel." --Booklist

What listeners say about The Murmur of Bees

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Great story ruined by terrible narration.

The female narrator's speech pattern was really grating, she sounded constantly hesitant. A stark contrast to the far more conversational, natural narration by the male voice.

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Interesting and different book

I enjoyed this although found it a bit slow in parts. The jumping around in time and character was slightly confusing on audible, but the story itself was different and interesting with likeable characters. The end left me a little uncertain. Overall, glad I’ve read it but wouldn’t rush out and buy it for friends. The part about the Spanish flu worsening was interesting especially now, in the time of COVID.

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excellent

This was suggested reading for our book club and I enjoyed it very much. The narrators were excellent and really bought the story to life. Highly recommened.

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Wonderful story

A truly wonderful story full of incredible characters. Utterly enchanting, I’m so sad it’s over.

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Brilliant

Loved the story and narration. Transported me back in time to a different way of life.

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Beautiful story

Loved the story and the narration. it's a captivating storytelling full of poetry and wonder.

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An amazing story beautifully narrated

I feel bereft now that the narration is over and am resolved to read the book with its depth of understanding of the human condition and it’s exploration of a particular period of Spanish history. What a treat.

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A story that touches your soul

I absolutely loved the slow pace of this book which set the scene of the story so beautifully, it just built and built through out and there was something about the brilliance of the narration that was hypnotic in the same way that Simonopoi is described in the book when he talks to the young Francisco. It moved me to tears. It was so beautifully written

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Wonderful book

I loved this book. Anyone who enjoys Gabriel Garcia Marquez will really enjoy this. Inspiring, beautifully written and wonderfully narrated

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Beautiful story

A beautiful story of the enduring connections we have to other people and our world. And the ways that love transcends any socially constructed boundaries. I really enjoyed it. t/w baby loss discussed from the outset

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