Bookmarks Subscribers discussion

Just got this on audio for when I finish Cutting for Stone (hopefully this week). Anyone read it?

I read it a month or so, just after it came out. It's a way better than average book, but not great. Excellent development of the characters and why they are the who they are! One of those you don't know whether or not to recommend to others.

Betsy, we will have to go through this one together! I have it in book form, but would love to discuss it with someone who is also reading it (and with others who have already finished it, of course.)

I just finished this. I didn't like the ending. Jen, have you read it yet? If not, let me know - I'd like to discuss too.

It is next up to be read, so I will let you know when I finish.

"In a few breaths' time I will speak some sad words to you. But you must hear them the same way we have agreed to see scars now. Sad words are just another beauty.".....A story of simple, but affecting prose that is dually narrated in an alternating-chapter pattern format. A sad, tale is woven of a life-changing tragic chance meeting and its lasting repercussions, while imparting some life-affirming essence.
The characters are real and the writing echoes the beauty and poignancy throughout. I enjoyed this quick-read, but difficult to truly understand why.

Cathy of PA

I have this on audio...I have been working on uploading the discs to iTunes for my iPod. Is this a good book for audio?

Cathy wrote: ""In a few breaths' time I will speak some sad words to you. But you must hear them the same way we have agreed to see scars now. Sad words are just another beauty.".....A story of simple, but affec..."

Wow! Your review alone has made me want to read Little Bee.

Chris Cleave will be coming to the Philadelphia Free Library On Feb. 25th to discuss Little Bee. My goal is to read the book and go to the discussion. It is Free!!!. Joshua Frris and Jonathan Dee were there on Jan 28th but I had to work:( You can go to freelibrary.org/authorevents for more!!

What an incredible story! I was grabbed by the book before even starting to read it...the summary on the dust jacket flap is such a teaser.

The characters are so complex, but not in such a way that makes the reader not able to relate to them (even though the situations in the book are ones we most likely don't specifically relate to or understand). I don't know how to describe this without giving away too many plot points. I will post a spoiler edition later.

I am about 3/4 of the way through the book and I can't get over the "onion effect" Cleave uses. Just when you gain a bit more information, another layer is revealed. It is great writing with a great story that is difficult to read (sad/disturbing content). Don't let that deter you; just read it earlier in the day.

I can see why this made so many "best of 2009" lists. It is a gem and I hope more people will check it out, especially since it is now in paperback. (The paperback copy is great - the front cover opens to a review cover page in color with a boy dressed as Batman.)

I wonder: What gave him the idea for the premise of this book? It is so dark. I hope he addressed that, and please post a response if you attended. I would love some more background information.

Little Bee was a compelling story, which begs the reader to think about the choices we make in life. It also asks us to step outside of our own little egocentric worlds, and take a good look at the world and people around us. The story is told in alternating viewpoints of two women and shows us what happens when their two worlds collide. There were a couple of plot points which nagged me, but otherwise......Powerful! Moving! Haunting!

My Rating: 4 stars

I loved how Cleave used the two female narrators WITHOUT telling the reader at the beginning of each chapter who would be speaking. It was almost as if he thought, "My readers will be intelligent enough to know who is speaking when, so I can even shift narrators between chapters too." I think that really added to the story.

As I said, this is a gem. Powerful, haunting, and really hard to put down, this gets a wholehearted recommendation from me.

I just finished Little Bee. I put off reading Little Bee until one of my book clubs picked it as a read. I hadn't heard about the plot (the cover says not to reveal it, so many don't), and I thought it was another piece of Southern (US) fiction, which I have gotten a bit tired of recently. It didn't take long to find out that it is set in Nigeria and England. From the quote just before the first chapter (which added to the storyline), to the closing quote, I was hooked. Yes, there were a few plot points that could take issue with, but overall it was a great story so I'm not going to knock it down for those. It was heartbreaking at points, with little bits of humor -- especially with Sarah's son, Charlie -- in a bittersweet way.

Listening to this amazing book on my mp3. It is both haunting and compelling, and I love the way the author has captured the ties that bind Sarah and Bee. And in his sweet way, thus far Charlie is a kind of pathetic child. Difficult to stop listening.
sue in fl