Is Contemporary Literature as Great as the Classics?
Of 'The Bee Sting' and Other contemporary Reads
I’ve always been more into classics or modern classics, but every time a new book starts making waves or wins a big literary award, I feel like I have to check it out. Sometimes, I’m blown away; other times, it’s a total letdown. It’s made me wonder why I enjoy classics more than most contemporary ones.
So, I decided to dig in and figure it out. I’ve read some popular contemporary books that I absolutely loved—like Elena Ferrante, Salman Rushdie, and Margaret Atwood’s books, as well as a few Booker Prize contenders. But then there are the ones I can barely get through, like Sally Rooney’s books or, more recently, The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, which was the shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize and won the 2023 Nero Book Award.
Why Some Modern Books Just Don’t Work for Me
Here’s what I’ve realized: it’s not about the writing itself. Most of these authors are crazy talented. The problem for me is their story theme. A lot of modern books focus on everyday people living everyday lives, and that bores me to tears. I think social media has something to do with it—I’m already bombarded with people’s daily dramas on my feeds. So when a book feels like an extended episode of someone’s life, it’s just... too much.
That said, I know these kinds of stories really resonate with people, and I totally get why they’re so popular. There’s an audience for everything, and these books often capture the realness of life in a way that hits home for a lot of readers.
The ‘The Bee Sting’ Dilemma
The book that made me reflect and write down these random thoughts was The Bee Sting. It’s a 2023 novel by Irish writer Paul Murray. The story depicts the dysfunctional, hapless lives of the Barnes family in Ireland, with portions of the book dedicated to the perspectives of each family member. It’s full of dark humor and explores themes of family, love, loss, and grief.
Deciding whether I liked it or not was a real dilemma! On the one hand, Paul Murray is a genius. The way he wrote about this family—their dynamics, their struggles as individuals and as part of a family—was absolutely top-notch. Structurally, the book is brilliant. But by the end, I felt like I had wasted my time. It didn’t leave me with any big takeaway or emotional punch.
It’s not that the book is bad; it just wasn’t my thing. I couldn’t connect with the story in a meaningful way, and for me, that’s the dealbreaker.
That said, there was one redeeming aspect: I listened to the audiobook, and the Irish accents made it a delightful experience. Even though the story frustrated me, I had a great time listening to it!
Why Classics Win (For Me)
Here’s where classics have the edge: they’re not just about people living their lives. They take you somewhere new—whether it’s exploring deep philosophical questions (Crime and Punishment), offering biting social commentary (Pride and Prejudice), or creating epic, unforgettable worlds (War and Peace).
They stick with you. Even when they’re tough to get through, there’s always something to take away—a new perspective, a bigger idea, or just a story that feels timeless. Modern classics like ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ and ‘East of Eden’ hit that same sweet spot.
At the end of the day, it’s not that contemporary literature can’t be as great as the classics—it totally can. Authors like Ferrante and many others prove that. But for me, it’s about what I want from a book. I want to be transported, to think about something bigger, to experience a story that sticks with me long after I’ve closed the cover.
Modern books can be brilliant, but they don’t always offer that kind of magic. Classics, though? They almost never let me down.
Which one is your favourite? Is it just me, or do you feel the same?
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