The Death of Bees [Paperback]

The opening of The Death of Bees in fact the synopsis of the book is such that it is rather in your face -

"Today is Christmas Eve. Today is my birthday. Today I am fifteen. Today I buried my parents in the backyard. Neither of them were beloved."

Was I really going to like a book like this, it is not my normal choice but I persevered with Marnie, 15 years old and the whole world on her shoulders. Academically advanced without trying and advanced physically but probably not emotionally as she is desperately unloved. The only person she cares and protects is her younger sister, Nelly.

Nelly is unique. Her language is something of the nineteen thirties, which rather stands out on a Glaswegian council estate in the twenty first century. Nelly wants love and protection as well, but that only comes from her sister Marnie.

Between the two of them, they try and cling together with the after effects of the death and subsequent burial of their parents. Whilst there is gruesome scenes; burying the bodies, the bleach stench of house to hide the smell. There is also subtle comic humour as panic regarding next door neighbour's dog digging up bits of the bodies and the mass planting of lavender to hide the smell.

But the neighbour's dog does not give up; neither does the kind neighbour Lennie, who takes it as read that Marnie and Nelly's parents have gone to Turkey as they tell him. But something does not ring true and Lennie starts to take more of an interest in these two lost girls. He feeds them, keeps them warm and starts to protect them from all those who are asking questions. Revelations about their parents start to haunt Marnie and Nelly, their familial past makes an appearance and it is down to Lennie to provide shelter both physical and emotional. But then as Lennie (and his dog) uncover more, it seems that Marnie and Nelly may no longer be together.

Using these three main characters the author O'Donnell creates a viewpoint in each chapter, as we alternate between the three. Sometimes the chapters are short and precise, others meander as we are taken back through their pasts so a rounder picture is built up as to how the three characters happen to be in the situation they are in now. Funny and dark, is sometimes perhaps an oxymoron but it seems to work in this novel and work well whilst dealing with some rather gritty issues; underage sex, drugs, many forms of abuse. But fundamentally it is about survival and love.

An odd choice of title, which is only really mentioned once in the novel and then is seemingly forgotten it confused me somewhat. That said, this was a great novel and one I would recommend and I look forward to what she may produce next.

THE DEATH OF BEES uses three narrators; academically advanced and streetwise fifteen year old Marnie, her 12 year old musical prodigy sister Nelly, whose actions are somewhat reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman in Rainman and their aging neighbor Lennie a gay man whose one misstep from the straight and narrow has cast him as a pervert in the eyes of society. Told in short chapters utilizing the alternating voices and viewpoints of each, the reader gets a look at what motivates each individual and makes them "tick". Set in a middle/lower class suburb of Maryhill, Scotland this is a multi-layered tale in which author Lisa O'Donnell has aptly depicted actions and language that are in keeping with the circumstances and backgrounds of each individual character.

Suffice to say that this is a story about the various levels of love between individuals and the neglect of children in society today as well as a wonderful character study into what really constitutes despicable behavior and what separates that which is truly odious from that which is undertaken as a matter of survival.

While there are a couple of incidents in the book stretch credibility by being just a little too well-timed and convenient overall this chronicle of the dark secrets being kept by two sisters and their helpful neighbor is absorbing enough to keep readers engaged through the last page. A great opening salvo for this author.
3 1/2 stars

Really enjoyed this novel and found it hard to put down. I loved that each short chapter was told from a different character's point of view, and I found myself empathising with all of them. The story line was poignant without being overly sentimental, and gripping enough to entice you into reading just one more chapter before turning the light out! I would definitely recommend it to others.