Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Modern and Contemporary Literature
Speaker
Candace Gietzen
We will read and discuss The Bee Sting by Paul
Murray (ISBN 978-1-250-33825-9),
Picador, 2024. This book is an ambitious new
chronicle of contemporary Irish life. Paul Murray
believes this novel can help readers see clearly,
listen with care and think hard. He writes about the
changing modern Ireland and a family struggling
with the disconnections and communications that
plague us all and the small personal disasters that our
fear and dishonesty transform into apocalypses. The
New York Times says, “This may all sound bleak, but
Murray’s writing is pure joy—propulsive, insightful
and aided with hilarious observations.” The book was
short-listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2023 and won
an Irish Book Award as Novel of the Year.
Paul Murray was born in 1965 in Dublin, Ireland. He
studied at Trinity College, Dublin and the University
of East Anglia. He has written four novels and a
screenplay for the Irish film Metal Heart.
Apr 1: Sylvias, pages 3–163
Apr 15: The Widow Bride, pages 167–285
Apr 29: III, pages 286–401
May 13: VI, pages 402–514
May 27: Dickie, pages 515–643
Murray (ISBN 978-1-250-33825-9),
Picador, 2024. This book is an ambitious new
chronicle of contemporary Irish life. Paul Murray
believes this novel can help readers see clearly,
listen with care and think hard. He writes about the
changing modern Ireland and a family struggling
with the disconnections and communications that
plague us all and the small personal disasters that our
fear and dishonesty transform into apocalypses. The
New York Times says, “This may all sound bleak, but
Murray’s writing is pure joy—propulsive, insightful
and aided with hilarious observations.” The book was
short-listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2023 and won
an Irish Book Award as Novel of the Year.
Paul Murray was born in 1965 in Dublin, Ireland. He
studied at Trinity College, Dublin and the University
of East Anglia. He has written four novels and a
screenplay for the Irish film Metal Heart.
Apr 1: Sylvias, pages 3–163
Apr 15: The Widow Bride, pages 167–285
Apr 29: III, pages 286–401
May 13: VI, pages 402–514
May 27: Dickie, pages 515–643
Speaker Bio
Seminar Leader: Candace Gietzen has degrees from
Pomona College and Stanford University. She taught
history and AP Comparative Government and Politics
at The Bishop’s School and often used novels to
enrich the curriculum.
Pomona College and Stanford University. She taught
history and AP Comparative Government and Politics
at The Bishop’s School and often used novels to
enrich the curriculum.
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