The Murmur of Bees

By: Sofia Segovia, Simon Bruni - translator

Narrated by: Xe Sands, Angelo Di Loreto

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's 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.

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.

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

One of my TOP TEN FAVORITES “The Murmur of Bees”

When I first started this book I thought “nope, it’s not for me, I’ll return it.” Boy, am I glad I didn’t. After the introduction, which confused me a bit, and the characters started materializing, the story took off and was AMAZING! The prose, the intricate way the past and present wove around each other, the characters, were all so well balanced and just plain enjoyable.
Honestly though, i would have enjoyed the book if I read it, but listening to it on Audible, I not only enjoyed it but I REALLY ENJOYED IT. I SOAKED IT IN. The narrators: Xe Sands and Angelo Dundee Loreto, brought the story to life, I could feel, smell, hear each character, each season, each anguish. I heard the bees murmur. Both narrators are the top of the top. Listen to this on audible. You won’t be disappointed. Have tissues at the ready, and don’t listen while driving through rush hour traffic, or you may have to pull over and have a visit with your Kleenex.

Thought provoking

I absolutely loved this book. The narrators were superb, especially Angelo Di Loreto... he has an amazing voice. I found myself listening to this book nonstop. I don’t know that I have the ability to describe how I feel right now, after having just completed it, so I’ll just list all of the words/phrases that come to mind: sad, nostalgic, hopeful, proud of good humans... my heart actually aches a little. I highly recommend this listen.

Compelling and Spellbinding

This novel is one that you’ll wish moved along faster yet wanting to savor at the same time. The story was interesting and well told. The otherworldliness that hovered over the characters was incredibly intriguing.

I didn't love it

This was an interesting story. I liked it. It was a different concept and I liked that. I thought the narration was quite good, and I liked the different narrators. After having lost one of my daughters, it was easy to relate to the feelings of loss that were suffered by the characters. A little hard to go through, but they got it right. I did find myself wanting to get finished with the book about 2/3 or earlier into it--wanting it to be over. I think it was all necessary, however, to tell the story. Good to read if you want a change of pace.

I’m not able to describe how beautiful

I finished listening to this story, crying. The very next day I began listening to it again, certain there was even more to hear. I was right. I can’t put into words how and why this story touched me the way it did. I plan to buy the hardcover because I want to go through it and mark passages and pages like I did when I was in college. There are so many ideas to discuss and analyze! Beautifully translated by Bruni. Bravo and thank you to Segovia and Bruni.
Initially I found Sands to be annoying, but I grew accustomed to her voice and found that she put so much feeling into the storytelling. The switch of narrators was infrequent and well done. I’m recommending this story to everyone I know.

slow start

The boy that is supposed to be the heart of this story is introduced in the beginning but doesn't really enter the story until about the 15th chapter. After that the book and story start ceyising along... but I did really enjoy this book and glad I listened to all of it.

Achingly Brilliant

My heart! I cannot recommend it highly enough. Magic realism with all the emotions and complexities of living life in the 20th century. A quiet but immensely gifted & wise Boy Simonopio comes into a family and transforms them. I'm not ashamed to say I cried a few tears at some point... it will stay with me as long as I live

A literary masterpiece

This book is so achingly beautiful that I wanted it to keep going. The prose offers exquisite detail, with characters being developed quite deeply, and integrated so that you feel part of the family. The bees, surprisingly, seem absolutely organic to the story - they belong as the other characters do. Both narrators make the characters come alive - voice actors at their best. One of the best books I’ve listened to.

Wonderful storytelling

I loved this look. It was a story of generations. It’s gentle way of lulling you into a place was so relaxing and comforting.
One of my favorites for sure.

Good Story

It was interesting hearing how the folks dealt with the fear of the Spanish flu and the philosophy of growing old while dealing with all the day to day activities of life.