During a trip to Boston, I began a novel by Chris Cleave called Little Bee. That's one great thing about the long waits at airports...lots of time to read...
On the flight home, right before our descent, I finished it. Little Bee was an enjoyable read because you got the story in little bits, as the characters felt comfortable enough or tortured enough to reveal more.
If you were British (and white), and were on the beach in Nigeria (on vacation) and two Nigerian teenaged girls came running up to you, begging that you help them, would you? Would you get involved even after you saw the armed soldier-wannabees who were hunting them? Would you say yes even when you were asked to make a physical sacrifice for these strangers' lives?
Little Bee explores several interesting issues: what does it take to "make it" in this world...where does one's committment end...how a tortured past can twist and disfigure our present and future...
I would recommend this book. The storyline is engaging,
it's told by two different characters, and gives a marvelous glimpse into another culture's life-and-death struggles.
That does sound compelling on several levels. Is it a YA book? Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteSioux, great review. The way you reviewed it on the airplane whetted my interest. It's on my summer reading list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. This sounds like a keeper. (P.S. Glad you're back!)
ReplyDeleteTammy--No. It's an adult novel.
ReplyDeleteBarb---Thanks for being such a great traveling partner.
Lisa--Thanks. It's good to be back.
Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sioux, I'll have to put that on my list to read.
ReplyDeleteI had to read your first couple of sentences twice, or even three times, Sioux! My kooky brain read it as "you started WRITING a novel on Thursday and completed it on Monday"! :D
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