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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
At times very hard to read & yet very gripping and absolutly beautifully written. Puts things in perspective for you, that's for sure. Had no idea how much the oil industry has destroyed Africa as well. Not a "happy" story, but beautiful & important.
The most depressing page-turner ever. I could hardly put it down even though it was making me sad, sad, sad. Good for a rainy Sunday like this one, I guess.
You will cry your heart out by page 10 but very well written and thought provoking
I absolutely loved this book...the first half anyway. There was so much potential for a wonderful story of two people brought together by tragic circumstances. But instead of making a heart warming story of healing and forgiveness, the author made it more about an adulterous affair and hatred. Sad because I was really enjoying it at the beginning.
I got this from a friend and I really wanted to like this. Before reading, I had to look up what it was about, because, as anyone who has ever picked this up will know, it does not actually have a description on the back. While I was certainly annoyed by this marketing technique (I like to know what I am reading) I was still excited to read this once I learned of this very difficult, and painfully relevant topic.
Unfortunately, it ultimately fell flat for me.
The first sentence drew me in. Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl. That certainly commands attention and the first few pages had me hooked. I must give it to Cleave. His writing style is quite distinct and, though at times a bit excessive, almost poetic. It's the main reason I ended up giving this two stars instead of one.
While, on the whole, I did not mind Little Bee's perspective, I was completely disinterested in Sarah's chapters, which also included a couple observations and statements that felt strange, out of place or just bad. I especially didn't like how in her very first chapter she seems to think of her childless female colleague as less fulfilled simply because she does not have children. There is some teasing context regarding an implied one-night stand, but really? That is an unnecessary statement in any context.
Furthermore, I also agree with other reviewers when they point out that the plot is a bit weak, lacking strong motivations and relying on coincidence.
And also, that ending. That left me incredibly unsatisfied.
Unfortunately, it ultimately fell flat for me.
The first sentence drew me in. Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl. That certainly commands attention and the first few pages had me hooked. I must give it to Cleave. His writing style is quite distinct and, though at times a bit excessive, almost poetic. It's the main reason I ended up giving this two stars instead of one.
While, on the whole, I did not mind Little Bee's perspective, I was completely disinterested in Sarah's chapters, which also included a couple observations and statements that felt strange, out of place or just bad. I especially didn't like how in her very first chapter she seems to think of her childless female colleague as less fulfilled simply because she does not have children. There is some teasing context regarding an implied one-night stand, but really? That is an unnecessary statement in any context.
Furthermore, I also agree with other reviewers when they point out that the plot is a bit weak, lacking strong motivations and relying on coincidence.
Spoiler
Here I am mainly referring to the fact that Bee gets caught when she has to call the police because Charlie 'kind of' goes missing. Neither Lawrence (who, I have to add, is a strange character in his own right) nor Sarah seems to think twice about asking her to call the police, and, of course, they ask for the papers she does not have. Meanwhile, Charlie was just playing pretend in the fricking bushes.And also, that ending. That left me incredibly unsatisfied.
Staggering. Beautifully written and masterfully designed, Cleave humanizes modern globalization. I quite literally couldn't put it down.
Wow- this book is a heavy read. I loved the writing style- Little Bee becomes a character that you love to love. The whole time the book makes you want to take charge of the problems going on in Nigeria- and left me with a feeling the story wasn't finished. I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping book!
I would say it was engaging - I wanted to know what happened. But I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing did. All this hype about how special it was and nothing. I was disappointed.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes