Telling the Bees

Telling the Bees by Peggy Hesketh, published by Oneworld Publications in 2015, is a novel that explores the intricate relationship between a beekeeper and his past. Albert Honig, an octogenarian who has dedicated his life to beekeeping, finds himself reflecting on his long-held feelings for his neighbor Claire, whose presence once profoundly impacted him. As he navigates the complexities of his solitary life, Albert’s world is disrupted when he discovers Claire’s body, prompting him to confront the unspoken truths and regrets that have lingered between them.
In this 320-page narrative, readers will delve into themes of family life, mystery, and the natural world, as Albert’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of his beekeeping. The story intricately weaves together elements of nature and the emotional weight of missed opportunities, inviting contemplation on the nature of relationships and the passage of time. Through Albert’s reflections and the symbolism of bees, the novel examines the quiet yet profound impact of unexpressed emotions and the potential for healing amidst lingering sorrow.
Official synopsis Publisher
Albert Honig’s most constant companions have always been his bees. A never-married octogenarian, he makes a modest living as a beekeeper, as his father and his father’s father did before him. Deeply acquainted with the workings of his hives, Albert is less versed in the ways of people, especially his neighbour Claire, whose beauty and vivaciousness transformed his young life. Yet years passed by, feelings were repressed, and chances missed.
Until one day Albert, led by a trail of bees, discovers Claire’s body. Through the quiet minutiae of life, he begins to examine the truths that lay hidden under the secrets and silence that hovered between them for so long. With echoes of The Remains of the Day, Telling the Bees is a haunting novel about lies of omission and commission, the persistence of regret, and the sweet anguish of re-opening wounds in order to finally heal them.
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