The Bottom Line
Little Bee, a powerful and beautiful novel written by Chris Cleave, is hard to describe. This is due, in part, to the book jacket's coyness about the subject matter; it suggests that it is better for the reader not reveal too much about the plot. It's not revealing too much to say that Little Bee is a captivating novel, exquisitely written. It's worth picking up to find its secrets out for yourself.
Pros
- 'Little Bee' has a constantly surprising plot & a beautifully written but not overblown lyricism.
Cons
- There is little to dislike about this novel.
Description
- 'Little Bee' was published in February 2009.
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- 288 Pages
Guide Review - 'Little Bee' by Chris Cleave - Book Review
Little Bee by Chris Cleave is about two women who meet unexpectedly on a beach. Little Bee is a Nigerian refugee and Sarah is a British magazine editor. They both have profound effects on each others' lives. That sounds like something of a novelistic cliche, but Cleave's story defies cliche. Little Bee is about the power and vulnerability of ties between people, about the choice between self-protection and sacrifice.
What truly makes Little Bee a standout is the power and clarity of Cleave's writing. From the opening passage where Little Bee wishes she was a British pound coin, readers will be hooked. Told in chapters that alternate between the perspective of Little Bee and Sarah, the story moves forward quickly and the most striking of events are relayed in a matter-of-fact manner.
Cleave's first novel, Incendiary, won numerous awards; he proves with Little Bee that it was no fluke.
