Review: Little Bee
Since the jacket flap of Little Bee by Chris Cleave says, “We don’t want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it,” I’m going to try to keep my synopsis short and sweet.
When Sarah and her husband, Andrew, are vacationing in Nigeria, they encounter Little Bee and her sister on the beach. Two years later, after Little Bee immigrates to England, she calls on Sarah for help.
I thought Little Bee was fantastic! I loved both Little Bee and Sarah, in spite of their flaws, and admired their grit and determination. These women were from such different worlds, yet they formed a bond with each other proving that we’re really not all that different from each other – we all want to live a life full of dignity and respect. Both women had tough choices to make and I respected the choices they made. When I read books like this, they always make me wonder how I would stand up in a situation like that. I have to admit a fondness for Sarah’s son, Charlie, too, because he brought back memories of my own little superhero.
I thought the story in Little Bee was great too! The story and the author’s note made me more aware of the politics and horrors involved in oil production. This book left me with a lot to think about. Chris Cleave answers some questions about Little Bee in this great interview. I love this video about the book:
This book would certainly find its way to my hands once i spot it somewhere on the bookshelves!
When we were in Maui, I convinced my mom to read this book for the flight home (selfishly so I can read it when she is done!). I can’t wait. You have all had such great reviews!
For some reason, I thought this book was about something else entirely. Your review is great and makes me want to read it now! It’s joining my wish list books.
I don’t think I realized there was an oil production angle to this book. It sounds really interesting!
Re: the oil production — unfortunately, it seems like a lot of the things we enjoy (affordable clothes, quick food etc). seem to have an underside. I remember years ago in my grandmother’s family the boys were sent out to work in the coal mines at young teens. The family simply needed the money. Sad but true.
I picked this one up the other day since so many people have raved about it. I have to be honest though, it is driving me nuts that there’s not more description of the plot for me to read. I am such a control freak! Maybe I’ll see if I can convince my book group to read it so I get to it sooner rather than later.
I have heard a lot of good reviews about this book. I haven’t yet picked this one, but it has to be definitely worth a book club read too, I guess. Good review!
Kathy so glad that you enjoyed this book. It was great, and hope to own a copy a some point as I read the library copy.
Thanks for letting me relive the book once again through your review.
I ordered this week – I couldn’t stand the suspense anymore of all the reviews saying this is so great but not telling anything! I can’t wait to read it!
You already know how much I loved this one! Great review!
I really enjoyed this book when I read it (maybe “enjoyed” isn’t the right word, what with the subject matter), but I’m sad to say that it hasn’t really stuck with me as I hoped it would.
Your review had made me curious! I’ll have to keep this one in mind.
–Anna
I’ve been wanting to read this book since I first read some reviews months ago. I’m glad you enjoyed it Kathy!
Well, you already know I wasn’t a huge fan, but I’m really glad you enjoyed it since you didn’t love the previous two months’ books!
i have seen this book everywhere and after reading your review vow to scoop it up when i get to the library (after paying $1,302.00 in library fines for my overdue copy of the audiobook ‘under the dome’).
This is the first I’ve heard of this one (where have I been living, under a rock? LOL). I’ll be sure to check it out now- hopefully my library has a copy!
I’m so glad you liked it. I can’t wait to read Little Bee. I love the surprise you talk about and the picture, I think, of Little Bee on the cover. Thanks.
I think the book club I’m in will be reading this at some point, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it.
Sounds like a great book, but, and I know this is horrible, I just hate the cover so will probably never pick it up.
Love the cover. And it sounds like a truly interesting story. Going to try and pick this one up. It sounds great.
I’m so glad you liked this one Kathy. I’ve got it on my eReader.
I had Little Bee IN MY HANDS on Tuesday, but I tried to show some restraint by not buying it. Now I’m smacking myself on the head. I’m going back! Thanks for the great review!
I really appreciate it when the flap doesn’t give too much away. That’s the first time I’ve heard of nothing being put on the flap (except their explanation). I think that’s pretty cool. I’ve been seeing good things about this book for a while, and I’m glad to see that you like it too.
For some reason I kept putting off reading this book because I thought it might be too painful, but I just moved it to the top of my stack. Thanks, Kathy!
I am really excited about this book and have read a lot of great reviews on it. I am so glad that you enjoyed it! I know it’s going to be a great book and I look forward to reading it as well! Great review!
Kathy, what a wonderful video. I really enjoyed it and liked listening to what the author said about his writing process and thoughts. Thanks for sharing. This book is on my list to pick up soon.
I just brought this book home with me today, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!
The video was fantastic – thank you so much for sharing it. I love your enthusiasm for this book!
Love your review. I’ve been on the fence about this one, but since you liked it so much it’s going on my wish list.
Great post, Kathy! I would love to read this book.:-)
I expected it to be something different and now I’m very intrigued. Thanks for adding the video.
I’ve read many positive reviews for this one. It sounds really interesting. I’ve added it to my wishlist. Great post!
This one is already on my TBR on Goodreads. Thanks for a great review and for not spoiling the story for us!
This book seems like a nice change of pace. I need to read it soon!
This book hurt! Especially knowing the atrocities that some people have to endure because of other people’s greed. I thought this was an emotional powerhouse and one of my faves for last year!
The book club I’m in just picked this for our April read. I can’t wait to get into it.
It’s always a good sign when you start to wonder how you would deal with the issues in the story. Books that make you think. Love ‘em.
I saw this one at the library the other day and it was calling my name but I am trying to catch-up a bit with what is already on my shelf. It will be a few months before I get to this one.
Thanks for adding the video, I enjoyed hearing about the authors perspectives. I am looking forward to reading this book. My book club talked about it at our meeting and it may be one that we’ll read this year. If not, I’ll be reading it on my own.
I’ve heard so much about this book and here’s another positive review from you. Thanks for the review! I’ll keep this in my wish list until my BBB (book-buying ban) is lifted in June.
Great review! I have had this book in my TBR pile for forever and all of the recent talk about it has really got me wanting to pull it out and get to reading! It sounds like an amazing story!!
I’ve had this on my wish list at Paperback Swap for a long time and this past week my wish was granted! Woo hoo! Glad to hear you liked it too.
I’ve seen this book around and it sounds fantastic. Thanks for the review.
I agree. I thought this was a fantastic book. And I fell in love with Charlie. I can’t wait to see what Chris Cleave comes out with next!
would love to read this book.Thanks for the review.