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chelsayoder's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this. The style of writing is beautiful (as is the cover design!) so I loved that. But the story was just a bit... under developed for me? Left me wanting more.
beckca03's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. In fact, my first impression was fairly negative - it occured when I read the back cover. "We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is truely a special story...Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it." A little presumptuous, yeah?
I enjoyed it until about halfway in and then I got really tired of the main character's need to be saved. And at everyone else's expense (Andrew, Charlie, etc). It wasn't until the last page that she grew up and coped with her lot in life and it was too little too late for me.
Entertaining, nonetheless, but I wont be recommending it Mr. Cleave.
I enjoyed it until about halfway in and then I got really tired of the main character's need to be saved. And at everyone else's expense (Andrew, Charlie, etc). It wasn't until the last page that she grew up and coped with her lot in life and it was too little too late for me.
Entertaining, nonetheless, but I wont be recommending it Mr. Cleave.
takeastresspill's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting portrayal of guilt and grief. Like Eleanor Upchurch Lucas pointed out, the ability to navigate between both protagonists' voices really strengthens the novel.
I do agree that some points could have been better developed, but overall a really good book.
I do agree that some points could have been better developed, but overall a really good book.
kmanhart's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Horrified. Shocked. Sickened. Awe inspired by the survivors of the tumultuous ongoing war in Africa. I really enjoyed Little Bee’s POV. I didn’t like Sarah or her POV and I thought her relationships with the other characters odd, heavy and fast trauma bonding, but her other relationships seemed fast and messy, with no regard for her own self worth or well-being or the safety of her child. The author I thought did a good job at giving gravity and voice to this topic but I couldn’t shake the fact that it was written by a white man. I am glad though I was introduced to this history and will be looking into actual African stories from African voices.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
It's certainly and interesting book and one that made me forsake school work in order to finish it (and although that sounds like an easy task, some books aren't compelling enough to pull me away from grading papers. Sad.). Of course, all of the publisher's blurbs beg readers not to "give the book away" because the excitement is all in how the story unfolds, so I'll try not to spoil anything.
The relationship between the women is based on a horror, which is, indeed, a horror. It was interesting to watch them interact even though their motivations and actions (especially those of Little Bee) were occasionally unbelievable and unrealistic (their comments were frequently too self-aware and the first person made this much more obvious)
The ending felt too fast, the conflicts suddenly piling up, one after another, in order to reach the conclusion. I felt that the conclusion did fit the rest of the book, but I would have liked either more time spent getting there, or for Cleave to have edited out some of the minor sub-plot conflicts so that it didn't feel so rushed.
I'm not sure I believed all of it (not the historical elements, but the character elements), but it sure made for a good read.
The relationship between the women is based on a horror, which is, indeed, a horror. It was interesting to watch them interact even though their motivations and actions (especially those of Little Bee) were occasionally unbelievable and unrealistic (their comments were frequently too self-aware and the first person made this much more obvious)
The ending felt too fast, the conflicts suddenly piling up, one after another, in order to reach the conclusion. I felt that the conclusion did fit the rest of the book, but I would have liked either more time spent getting there, or for Cleave to have edited out some of the minor sub-plot conflicts so that it didn't feel so rushed.
I'm not sure I believed all of it (not the historical elements, but the character elements), but it sure made for a good read.
stephvad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jbbeattie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A very real life depiction of the struggles of a young girl. A heavy read. Ending leaves you hanging.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
3.0
Elements of this book should get 5 stars; other elements should get one.
Little Bee's voice, and her observations about England, are amazing and engaging. On the other hand, sometimes she is just too wise and too knowing for her years and her experience.
The British woman who forms the other half of the story? Not so much. The scene where she begins her affair is just deplorable, and my book group summed it up as saying that's the scene in the book where you can tell it was written by a man. Some authors are brilliant at writing from the opposite sex's pov. Some are not.
The story is both touching and compelling, and I'd recommend this book, mostly based on the character of Little Bee.
Little Bee's voice, and her observations about England, are amazing and engaging. On the other hand, sometimes she is just too wise and too knowing for her years and her experience.
The British woman who forms the other half of the story? Not so much. The scene where she begins her affair is just deplorable, and my book group summed it up as saying that's the scene in the book where you can tell it was written by a man. Some authors are brilliant at writing from the opposite sex's pov. Some are not.
The story is both touching and compelling, and I'd recommend this book, mostly based on the character of Little Bee.
empyrealmelody's review against another edition
4.0
Both women in the book are strong individuals with a strong pull for hope and righteousness. Their lives are so drastically different but they find a way to help each other cope with their horrors and nightmares. I'm particularly intrigued with Little Bee, who has been through too much yet is still able to see good and want to do good. Her ability to be positive and proclivity to help others even after all she's been through is inspirational. At times I feel that her attitude is too good for her situation and I found some characters unbelievable or the book a bit naive, but I love the underlying theme of hope and perseverance the story entails.