The Challenge Factory discussion

Minttu & Shell• The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

Hi!

Sorry I have disappeared for a bit. Life has been crazy! Not as crazy as Marnie & Nelly's but hectic anyway.

I have last 50 pages or so still left of the book and at the same time can't wait to finish it and also wish it wouldn't end.

It took me a while to get into the writing. It is kind of gruesome at times, but I see the point of it and I've got used to it by now. I won't say I enjoy the story as it is really quite sad, but I do enjoy reading the book. It is probably one of the best books I've read this far this year. I can see why it is dividing opinions though. I can understand why some poeple could find it too dark or too explicit.

I think the multiple points of view approach works rather well and I've come to expect to hear everyone's thoughts on the same situation.

I kind of keep thinking that the old-fashioned way Nelly talks has been chosen by the author to contradict with Marnie's "street talk". I'm not sure if it was necessary to make the difference so big in their language as well. They are so different as characters anyway. Sometimes I feel like Nelly's language is just there to sort of underline how different the sisters are. But it's just a question of style, I guess.