Book Review ~ Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave, is a story of survival, both literally and figuratively.  The description on the inside cover of this book says, ” WE DON’T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.  It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it.  Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:  It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.  The story starts there, but the book doesn’t.  And it’s what happens afterward that is most important.  Once you have read it, you’ll want to tell everyone about it.  When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either.  The magic is in how it unfolds.”  Little Bee

In the spirit of the author and publisher’s request, I will not go into details about Little Bee.  I will tell you that I loved this book.  The writing is wonderful.  The characters are so real I actually wish they were except for what happens to them.  I still find it amazing that a male mind wrote this story which is told from the minds of two complicated, feeling, richly woven women.   The story will stay with you as it will stay with me.  You will want to talk about this book as you read it and when you are done.  When you are ready to talk about Little Bee please let me know. 

{Rating ~ 4.5 out of 5 stars}

You can learn more about Little Bee and author Chris Cleave at his web site HERE.  Below I have included an author interview/book promo video for Little Bee (in the U.K. it is titled The Other Hand). 

Teaser Tuedays

It’s that time of week again, everyone, and time for the Tuesday Teaser. Again the reminder of what this is all about. We are asked to:

Grab your current read.

1. Let the book fall open to a random page.
2. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
3. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
4. And again remember – avoid spoilers.

 

From Little Bee by Chris Cleave ~

“My legs were tired.  Two years I had been in that detention center, going nowhere, and I was weak.  But although my ankles hurt and the backs of my legs ached, it felt very good to be moving, and to be free, and to feel the night air on my face and the grass on my legs, wet from the dew.”

Sunday Salon ~ March 22nd, 2009

What a week!  I spent it in Hong Kong with Hubby and we had a great time.  I even had the chance to read a book on my new Kindle 2.0!  I read THE READER and now I can’t wait to see the film.  I didn’t mind picturing Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and the other actors I’ve seen in previews in my minds eye as I read it either.  It wasn’t exactly a happy book but it was an interesting idea. 

Now I’m reading LITTLE BEE and am really enjoying the anticipation I’m feeling as the story unfolds.  The characters and their narrations are vivid and rich, though again, the topics aren’t very cheery.

What are you reading this week/weekend?  I’m looking for recommendations to load onto my Kindle!