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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I remember the first page absolutely captivating me. The language was so beautiful. And as I continued to read, I had very high hopes. But somewhere, the story began to falter. The magic began to disintegrate and the novel became more typical than anything else. The book was entertaining, I did really enjoy reading it. I would even recommend it to others because I did feel the story was unique and powerful. I loved the beginning and I loved the end. It was just the middle that was a problem area (not a beer gut, but rather a sloppy storyline). Some aspects of the story seem to be unnecessary. Cleave surely does love writing female leads who cheat on their husbands, doesn't he? But was it necessary? Did it really help along the story? I suppose I just felt that part was too drawn out. That being said, I applaud this book for touching on the atrocities committed by immigration laws. Read this one if only for its message.
This was alright - just. The voice of Little Bee was consistent and the rhythm and texture of her language felt right.However - I was not moved as I should have been, and as I wish I had been, because the subject is important and under discussed. It is, I believe, the subject matter that the publisher wishes to keep a secret when they ask that readers refrain from revealing details. The subject matter does not, sadly, have mass appeal. If the blurb said - this is about illegal immigrants - it would have disappeared without trace, however worthy I might feel the matter to be, but they are being manipulative in failing to disclose this.
Cleave did not fully realise his characters. I am pretty fed up with reading about people with glossy media jobs. Would Sarah really have been so naive and under-researched before her freebie holiday? Would she have placed her oddly disturbed son in such danger? Would the army have made such great efforts to find Little Bee? The individual characters stories were powerful, but the story of the novel failed to deliver.
Cleave did not fully realise his characters. I am pretty fed up with reading about people with glossy media jobs. Would Sarah really have been so naive and under-researched before her freebie holiday? Would she have placed her oddly disturbed son in such danger? Would the army have made such great efforts to find Little Bee? The individual characters stories were powerful, but the story of the novel failed to deliver.
I liked it, but as a mother, it did not ring true. I really don't want to spoil anything so I'll leave it at that. I'd love it if someone else reads it and lets me know what they thought.
I thought about giving this 4 stars. Read for book club. It definitely engaged me, and I'm sure I'll remember it. Just kind of depressing.
A beautiful, haunting book. The audiobook was read superbly. It is not a novel I will soon forget.
A compelling story about an issue I knew nothing about before reading this book. I really liked it being told from two points of view.
I really thought I'd like this book a lot more than I did. It seems right up my alley but I just couldn't get on board with any of the characters.
The book started out strong and then lagged a bit as you got to know the backstory to the characters but then took off right to the finish. The book deals with an illegal immigrant that lands in England after fleeing for her life from Nigeria. Reading in this during the upheaval we have seen around race and inequity it really drove home how the experience must be for the immigrants seeking safety or a better life for themselves.