El murmullo de las abejas

Escrito por Sofía Segovia

Narrado por Humberto Solórzano

Incluye una entrevista exclusiva con Sofía Segovia y Rodrigo Unda

El murmullo de las abejas tiene todos los ingredientes esenciales para convertirse en un clásico de la literatura mexicana contemporánea.

El murmullo de las abejas, nombrada "La mejor novela del 2015" por iTunes.

La autora que despierta la historia de México y recupera su lugar en nuestros corazones.

En Linares, al norte del país, con la Revolución mexicana como telón de fondo, un buen día, la vieja nana de la familia abandona sorpresivamente un reposo que parecía eterno para perderse en el monte. Cuando la encuentran, sostiene dos pequeños bultos, uno en cada brazo: de un lado un bebé misterioso y del otro un panal de abejas. Ante la insistencia de la nana por conversar y cuidar al pequeño, la familia Morales decide adoptarlo.

Cubierto por el manto vivo de abejas que lo acompañarán y guiarán para siempre, Simonopio llega a cambiar la historia de la familia que lo acoge y la de toda una región. Para lograrlo, deberá enfrentar sus miedos, el enemigo que los acecha y las grandes amenazas de la guerra: la influenza española y los enfrentamientos entre los que desean la tierra ajena y los que protegerán su propiedad a toda costa.

El murmullo de las abejas huele a lavanda, a ropa hervida con jabón blanco, a naranjas y miel: una historia impredecible de amor y de entrega por una familia, por la vida, por la tierra y por un hermano al que se ha esperado siempre, pero también, la de una traición que puede acabarlo todo.

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• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: Penguin Random House Audio
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 1 may 2016
• ISBN: 9786073137416

Sofía Segovia

Sofía Segovia nació y vive en Monterrey. Es una de las autoras mexicanas más influyentes del siglo XXI, autora de tres novelas aclamadas por la crítica internacional: El murmullo de las abejas (2015), nominada al National Book Award 2019, nombrada por Audible una de las 20 mejores novelas históricas de ficción del mundo, traducida a 21 idiomas; Huracán (2016), reseñada por la Latin American Literature Today; y Peregrinos (2018), cuya edición al inglés, Tears of Amber, se convirtió en un bestseller instantáneo de Amazon, y la cual también ha sido traducida a 6 idiomas. Ha colaborado en compilaciones de no ficción y libros históricos. Además de su labor literaria, dedica su tiempo a la enseñanza de la escritura y la promoción de la lectura. Su último libro, De lector a escritor, es un manual para contar historias efectivas e inolvidables (2024).

Comentarios para El murmullo de las abejas

[witchyrichy · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

 The Murmur of Bees has been on my Kindle for a long time. I was prompted to finally read it as part of the Kindle challenge for Hispanic Heritage Month. And what a book: historical fiction set during the Mexican Revolution, focusing on the time period when Mexico was also ravaged by the flu. It is the story of the wealthy Morales family struggling to keep their land and farm as the government closes in to take over. It opens with magic as an old grandmother leaves her rocking chair and brings back a baby covered by bees. The infant is disfigured, seems unable to speak, and while the family welcomes it, others in the community believe it is a demon. And thus the tragedy is set from the beginning. Magical elements were woven throughout the tale and I was mesmerized.

[mojomomma_1 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

An orphan with a cleft palate and covered with bees joins a wealthy ranchers family and helps the family weather the shariah reforms of the Mexican Revolution.

[debbie13410 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

The writing is exceptional. The story is unique. It is about a boy and his magical connection with his bees and the family he protects. The author writes it like a fairy tale. I really enjoyed the characters and the setting. For the first 30% I was excited because I thought she was building up to something. She was but it took to 80% to FINALLY get there. My biggest complaint of most writers is they don't know when to stop writing. Do they get paid per page.

[bloodbanker1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I finished this book today. I had to keep drying the screen of my Kindle as the tears were flowing like a wide opened spigot. This author's writing brought me to tears and brought smiles and laughter as well. Historical fiction, especially from other nations, brings knowledge of a time long passed and new perspectives to view the past by. I highly recommend this book and will be looking for more by this author.

[henrog-315853 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

A baby was found under a bridge in a small Mexican town. He was disfigured and covered with bees. The people are suspicious because they think he is kissed by the devil, but one family adopts him. As he grows, he displays the ability to close his eyes and see what others cannot, both dangerous and beautiful. It is a great read taking place during the Mexican Revolution and the flu pandemic of 1918.

[sallyelizabethmurphy · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Beautifully written.

[dianekeenoy · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Just an incredible book!

[romonko · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

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 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.

[janerawoof · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Beautifully written, haunting novel set in early 20th century northern Mexico, following the fortunes of the Morales family of landowners, though the years of revolution, Spanish flu, agrarian reform. A mysterious boy lives with them, always covered with bees, his friends. His physical disfigurement means nothing in view of his other gifts: he has foreknowledge of the future, and deep understanding of others. He fulfills his purpose in guiding and teaching the Morales scion.

Highly recommended.

[lynelle.clark.5 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

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 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.

[rglossne · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution, and the tumultuous time of the Spanish flu, The Murmur of Bees tells the story of the Morales family and their land. The old Nana Reja finds a baby under a bridge, disfigured and covered with bees, and the Morales adopt his as their own. As he grows, it become clear that he has the ability to see or sense the future. Simonopio’s purpose in the town and the family and the conflict between good and evil is the core of this story.

[toobusyreading · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

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 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.

[montzaleew · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

The Murmur of Bees
By: Sofia Segovia, Simon Bruni - translation
Narrated by: Xe Sands, Angelo Di Loreto
This is a story that is rich in history, society's best and worst reactions to extreme situations, family ties, and reactions to the unusual. A baby is born with "a devil's kiss", which sounds like possibly a cleft palate. He was left for the elements and the bees surround him but did him no harm. The period is 1918-1919 or so and the Spanish flu is killing off people. The description and writing style made me feel like I was there. I can still visualize it. The war was then also as well as roaming bands of gangs. This book is centered around an extended family and what they experience. Also the baby is thought to be a curse and should be killed. He turns out to be a blessing for his adopted family at times.
The book did have places that slowed a bit too much I thought.
The narration was fairly good. A few times I heard a sentence repeated like they might have stopped then started again and read the same sentence again.

[tangledthread · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

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 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.

[brangwinn · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

If this book didn’t receive an award for translation, it should. When an old nana at a Mexican hacienda finds an abandoned baby with a misshapen mouth who is covered with bees, Nana refuses to leave the baby. She takes him home, where the rancher’s owner and wife become his godparents and undertake giving him a good life. His muteness has made him a keep observer of others and as he grows up, Simonopio is constantly surrounded by bees. Simonopio becomes the protector of the owner’s youngest son and as the story unfolds, its made clear what others might see as ugly is actually beautiful.

[teachlz · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Murmur of Bees” by Sofia Segovia, Amazon Crossing, April 2019 (Translated by Simon Bruni)

Sofia Segovia has written a captivating, intense, intriguing, and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, and Historical Fiction as researched and interpreted by the author. There are several layers in this story. There are also elements of Superstition and Tall Tales that are written as well. The story takes places in Mexico, and goes through the time periods of the Spanish Influenza, and the Political Unrest in Mexico and how it affected the farmers and landowners. The author describes are dramatic and colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated.

In this amazingly well written story there are several contrasts: good vs. evil, nature vs. nurture, and right vs. wrong. There is also a theme of the balance of man and nature.

A very old woman hears the sounds of a crying baby under a bridge, and goes to bring him back to the home. He is covered in swarming bees, but the bees are not hurting him. The Morales family takes the baby in, and raise him, and name him Simonopio. Some people feel that Simonopio is evil . They are superstitious and feel he is responsible for the problems in Mexico. He is disfigured and can’t communicate by understandable speech. Somehow he is able to look out for the Morales family and the land.

I appreciate that the author has researched the historical events of the time and vividly describes them. I would highly recommend this unique novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction, and a thought-provoking story. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.