Rating: 
This book is about a teenage girl called Little Bee who is being hunted down by men who want to kill her for knowing too much about the killings of the people in her village, which rested atop rich oil deposits in Nigeria.
After enduring horrendous events on the beach at the hands of her captors, Bee escapes and stows away on a ship only to end up in a refugee detention center in England. She eventually manages to get out, and sets out to find the only people who might be able to help her—a couple by the names of Sarah and Andrew whom she briefly met on the beach before her capture and escape.
When she arrives at the couple’s house, Bee finds that she is just in time for Andrew’s funeral. She tries to help Sarah and her small son cope with the death. However, all the while, Bee is also dealing with the constant threat of deportation to her country where if sent, she would surely fall back into the hands of the killers who are looking for her.
My Review:
I picked up Little Bee from the bookstore based mostly on the gorgeous front cover. After reading the back flap, I was instantly intrigued. It was not the book that I had intended, but it was much, much more.
While tough to read at times because of the stories involving rape, murder, suicide—and ultimately genocide—Little Bee is an important read because it encourages you to consider difficult ambiguities most people don’t often like to think about, such as: How far will you go to help someone when you don’t have to? How far will you go to help someone if it means you have to physically suffer to save them? And how could that decision affect you for the rest of your life?
Honestly, Little Bee at points made me squirm, but it made me laugh a lot too. And at some sections I was so angry at Sarah’s character that I wanted to yell at her and ask in my best Red Foreman voice, What the Hell were you thinking!!?!?
So, why should you read this book? Well, I wouldn’t read the book if you’re looking for something hopeful, happy, and inspirational. But, if you want a read that is honest, that makes you think and feel—deeply—while forcing you to examine your humanity, and that of others, this is the book for you.
I’m giving Little Bee five stars because the writing is absolutely phenomenal. It will suck you in, grab your heart and soul and never let go.
Check out the book trailer:
Have you heard about or read this book? I'd love to hear what you think!
Book: Little Bee
Author: Chris Cleave
ISBN: 978-1416589648
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Purchased
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree that the writing was positively gorgeous, but the style and how the book flowed really bothered me. Plus, I guess I just didn’t see a lot of the humor in the book, so no great laughs for me.
Thanks for commenting Melissa! I especially enjoyed the sections about Sarah’s son who was dressed up in the Batman costume, and I thought the girls from the detention center were funny as well. I also remember laughing at the parts where Bee tries to come up with ways to explain things to the girls back home. I guess I should have included that in my review.
I don’t think you are alone though in thinking it wasn’t a very funny book because I have heard a lot of differing opinions.
Yeah, I just didn’t love it. The writing was great, but … blah. It all felt so disconnected that I just didn’t care. And I had a hard time suspending disbelief enough for some of what happened.
The batman costume thing was kind of funny, but it was sad too.
Yeah, I remember enjoying the parts with Batman. I guess it’s good to remember what I did like and laugh at.
That’s a nice review….It really helps especially considering the fact that the publisher’s don’t reveal much of the storyline of the book…this book is in TBR pile and am looking forward to reading it…
Thanks
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