“Little Bee” by Chris Cleave is a literary hurricane of emotion that makes me grateful that I was lucky enough to stumble upon this novel. Cleave unleashes words that are so heartfelt that I was able to feel the emotional connection between the characters on one page.
In comparison, Cleave will describe some of the most heinous acts that humans can do to each other. Immigration issues, the horrors of oil wars, and the intimate grief within a family are all unraveled in the pages of “Little Bee.”
In a dual narration between a Nigerian refugee named Little Bee and Sarah, a mother and magazine editor, “Little Bee” tells the eye-opening story of a teenage girl who fled the Nigerian Delta oil conflict in order to find a new life in the British suburbs. The lives of the women first collide on the worst day of Little Bee’s life and then, two years later, on the worst day in Sarah’s life. With a connection that only two broken souls could have, Little Bee found a home with Sarah and her young son. However, they discovered that obtaining a peaceful life would not be easy while being haunted by the secrets and nightmares of the past.
In my personal experience reading “Little Bee,” I thought that the storyline was so consuming and passionate that I was not able to control my emotions; every new page brought a new tear, smile, or grimace to my face. Chris Cleave was able to pull me into the story and give me the opportunity to become emotionally attached the characters. I cried when Little Bee cried, and I laughed along with Sarah. Being able to connect with the characters is a trait that I look for when I deem a novel truly unforgettable. Believe me, “Little Bee” will change the way you look at your life and look at your choices.
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