Helpful Score: 1
I had a hard time putting this book down. I was always compelled to find out "what happens next"; BUT, I also had a hard time believing much of the story. The 16-year-old girl was portrayed more like a wise, elderly woman. The actions some of the characters took, putting themselves and a young child at risk were completely unbelievable. If you can accept that much of the story would not have happened in the real world, the book is relatively enjoyable. My husband and book club had similar opinions.
I did not realize that this book is also known as Little bee!!! I loved it, it definitly held my attention and I could not put it down. LOVED IT!!!!!
I am always hesitant about back-of-the-book blurbs that tell you absolutely nothing about the book. "We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it ... Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
Really? I thought that was what you were supposed to do with all books that you recommend: don't ruin it for others. But why all the secrecy for Little Bee? If I really knew what it was going to be like, would I still want to read it?
I think that this book has some issues with its own self-perception. Yes, it deals with some heavy topics by exploring social injustices, nationalism, corporate greed, selfishness, sacrifice, and the horrors of genocide, but I don't believe that this book is quite as profound or as magical as it claims to be. Most of the characters (with the exception of Little Bee herself) are flat, annoying, and mostly unlikable. This book also has one of those intentionally ambiguous endings that is supposed to be thought-provoking and moving, yet it left me feeling justified for thinking that the entire book was rather pointless.
While there were some memorable moments and a few quotes worth mulling over, my overall impression of Little Bee is that I wasn't really impressed at all.
Really? I thought that was what you were supposed to do with all books that you recommend: don't ruin it for others. But why all the secrecy for Little Bee? If I really knew what it was going to be like, would I still want to read it?
I think that this book has some issues with its own self-perception. Yes, it deals with some heavy topics by exploring social injustices, nationalism, corporate greed, selfishness, sacrifice, and the horrors of genocide, but I don't believe that this book is quite as profound or as magical as it claims to be. Most of the characters (with the exception of Little Bee herself) are flat, annoying, and mostly unlikable. This book also has one of those intentionally ambiguous endings that is supposed to be thought-provoking and moving, yet it left me feeling justified for thinking that the entire book was rather pointless.
While there were some memorable moments and a few quotes worth mulling over, my overall impression of Little Bee is that I wasn't really impressed at all.
