The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (Laurel-Leaf Books) [Paperback]

Robert Cormier (Author)

Book Description

Series: Laurel-Leaf Books | Publication Date: November 1, 1991

Sixteen-year-old Barney can't remember life before the Complex, an experimental clinlc. He knows he's different--he's the control subject. Then he uncovers a terrible secret about himself, a secret that drives him to fulfill his and his fellow subjects' ultimate dream. The Bumblebee must fly!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Barney can't remember life before the Complex, an experimental clinlc. He knows he's different--he's the control subject. Then he uncovers a terrible secret about himself, a secret that drives him to fulfill his and his fellow subjects' ultimate dream. The Bumblebee must fly!

From the Inside Flap

Sixteen-year-old Barney can't remember life before the Complex, an experimental clinlc. He knows he's different--he's the control subject. Then he uncovers a terrible secret about himself, a secret that drives him to fulfill his and his fellow subjects' ultimate dream. The Bumblebee must fly!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 241 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (November 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044090871X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440908715
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.7 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dark, beautiful, and inspiring novel., July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Paperback)

Robert Cormier does it again in The Bumblebee Flies Anyway! It's a dark and sometimes confusing story (according to my mother, I understood it perfectly), with believable and complex characters and a twist you would never suspect. This is the first Cormier novel I've read, and since then I now own all his books and have read most of them. I was inspired to read it when I actually *met* Mr. Cormier at an awards convention for young writers (I had won an award for a short story I wrote based on the same quote The Bumblebee Flies Anyway was based on). I'm very glad I met such a womnderful man and a fantastic author. This book, so far, is my favourite of all his work, but if you don't know what to read next, pick up a Cormier novel. I guarantee you won't regret it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, July 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Paperback)

Darkly poignant and sweetly done, this novel is a must-read for anyone who's ever been a teen...ANYONE. "The Bumblebee Flies Anyway" explores the deep psychologies involved in young Barney's confused and complex life, and shows what happens when life's "expectations" aren't met. As a full-fledged Robert Cormier fan (I've read some six-seven Cormier-penned tales), I can tell you that this is the one to get if you want to get a feel for Mr. Cormier's writing style and unique wordsmithing. It's the type of book to read even IF you aren't assigned it in class...even though none of my high school classes ever assigned any Cormier, I still found his stuff worthwhile reading--and still do.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, November 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Paperback)

This story was about following our dreams and helping others to find theirs. The main character, Barney Snow, lives in an experimental clinic, where everyone one around him is terminally ill. He helps his friends to build the bumblebee. A bumblebee is not supposed to be able to fly, but it does; therefore, a bumblebee is a miracle. In this Barney made us realize that we can never give up, on life or anything else. It was not important of where Barney lived or who his friends were; he made us realize that we should open up to the people around us and that sometimes people need to some help in pursuing their flight of the bumblebee. The part I liked most about this story was the plot. There was not much action or adventure, but the story always had an unexpected surprise waiting around the corner. This story was not what I would call fast paced, but for some reason, it always kept me on my toes and wanting more.