The Murmur of Bees

The Murmur of Bees tells the story of Simonopio, a mysterious child found abandoned under a bridge by Nana Reja and adopted by landowners Francisco and Beatriz Morales. Disfigured and covered in bees, Simonopio is viewed by some locals with suspicion, but the Morales family welcomes him as their own. As Simonopio grows, his unusual abilities become apparent. When he closes his eyes, he can see visions of future events—both beautiful and dangerous—that others cannot perceive. Accompanied by a protective swarm of bees, he works to protect his adoptive family from various threats, both human and natural. Set during the Mexican Revolution and the 1918 influenza pandemic, the novel follows how Simonopio's presence shapes the fate of the Morales family and their town of Linares during a period of national upheaval.