I have wanted to read this book since it first came out a year ago. Of course, there are about a thousand books a year that I can place in the exact same category. That is where book club comes in. I am going to be discussing this one with my Skype Book Club in March. This book made the year end lists of several of my favorite bloggers in 2009.
I am all about not giving away too much on the jacket of a book, so I was amused to start my usual quick skim with hands half covering my eyes when I started reading this:
WE DON’T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.
It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific. The story starts there, but the book doesn’t. And it’s what happens afterward that is most important. Once you have read it, you’ll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.
Dot over at Scribbles had this to say about Little Bee, called The Other Hand in the UK and maybe other places I don’t know about:
There are so many harrowing scenes in this book and on more than one occasion I was reading with tears streaming down my cheeks. But there is so much wit and humour too, it really does carry the story and gives a profound sense of hope.
Gavin at Page247 had some reservations but was apparently able to overcome them:
My one concern was the idea of a white male journalist giving voice to the two female characters, a young Nigerian girl and a white British magazine editor. Cleave was brave to take this on and did a superb job. I loved Little Bee, her strength, her heart and her intelligence.
It has been a long time since a book has moved me to tears, and even longer since one this length (375 pages) has been compelling enough to read in a single sitting, forcing me to stay up late into the night to finish it.
This book is one long emotional roller coaster. The horrific lows enhanced in intensity by the touching, laugh out loud highs.
I’m looking forward to reading and discussing this one.
Other reviews and posts:
I’m with you, I’ve wanted to read this since just before it came out. I’ve even had an ARC all that time that I got free with my $25 purchase at a bookstore. Yet I still haven’t read it. What did your book club think of The Last Days of the Lacuna Cabal?
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Merlin’s Harp – Book Review =-.
I was pretty indifferent to the book. I saw what the author was trying to do and thought it was smart, but the characters left me cold. Everyone else pretty much hated it. I think it wold have been much better as the quirky little play he intended it to be.
I just saw Chris Cleave last night and he was FANTASTIC!!! I took a lot of video so I can’t wait to post it before we discuss the book for book club.
.-= Natasha @ Maw Books´s last blog ..My People by Langston Hughes, Photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr. =-.
I bought this last year and haven’t read it yet, so I was really excited when we picked it!
This book is fantastic!!! I loved it even though at times it was brutal.
.-= Staci- Life In the Thumb´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays and It’s Tuesday..Where Are You? =-.
This one is on my list too and you have intrigued me even more with your bits of reviews/quotes from other bloggers!
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..A Week in Which I Had to Abandon Too Many Books But Found so Many More =-.
I can’t wait to here what you think of this one! I keep picking it up and putting it down at the bookstore so maybe you’ll persuade me to finally buy it!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..I’m a Sucker for a Pretty Locale =-.
I didn’t know the UK title was The Other Hand…I think that’s a great title, much better than Little Bee.
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..The Catcher in the Rye =-.
I want to read this book! I can’t wait for you to review it
I love the cover, too- it’s so evocative. I have this weird thing for the “shadow puppet” look on book covers.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Mornings in Jenin =-.
I’m with you, this book has been on my list of 1,000, but I just haven’t prioritized it high enough. I do get through audios quicker, so I am wondering if my library has it…hmmm…
It is hard to argue with those reviews, isn’t it?
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Lake Eola #4 =-.
I bought this last year and still haven’t read it. So many people have told me how good it is,yet they won’t tell me anything about it. I am intrigued!
.-= vivienne´s last blog ..Fallen by Lauren Kate =-.
I really would like to reas this one at some point.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..East of Eden, Part III =-.
I so loved this book; simply amazing. (Your review was terrific too).
.-= diane´s last blog ..Tuesday Teasers =-.
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did – but have the tissues handy!
.-= Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..Have you written any fabulous post titles recently? =-.
Very promising! The cover is really what got me interested since cover art seems to be intriguing me more and more lately. It’s one of the most striking designs I’ve seen in a while, and it sounds like the plot is equally striking.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Scattershot Reading… =-.
I’ve been wanting to read this one since it first came out too! And I’ve had a copy almost that long…I think I won it from somebody. I really need to make note of these things….
anyway, how lucky you are to get to read it with a book group! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Wordless/Wondrous Words Wednesday =-.
I read this with MY book club last year and we had a great discussion about it! I hope yours is just as successful.
(And I’ve heard the audio version is VERY well done, in case anyone is wondering …)
.-= Heather J.´s last blog ..Two Awards =-.
This sounds like a great book to discuss with a book club. Your skype book club sounds interesting and a great idea for a book club.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Waiting On Wednesday: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine =-.
I’m about to start this one and can’t wait to read it! I have a hard time believing it will live up to the hype but we will see. My edition is called The Other Hand, too, and I have to thank Jackie at Farm Lane Books for cluing me in that they were the same.
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Review: Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh =-.
I’m on a trip this week and I packed 8 books, but do you think this stopped me from picking this up and debating whether to buy it every place I’ve seen books?!!! The only reason I haven’t is because I’m afraid my luggage is already at the limit, but I really, really want to read this. And weirdly, I know next to nothing about it, because no one will say what it’s about except that it’s wonderful! So I can’t wait to find out!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Black History Month: Review of “Stonewall Jackson’s Black Sunday School” by Rickey E. Pittman; Illustrated by Lynn Hosegood =-.
My book club is going to be making selections for the second half of the year next month and this one’s been recommended to me for them. Sounds like there will be lots to discuss.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..American Rust =-.
I can’t wait to read this one. I have to wait until Sunday to buy it.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..New Editions: Willow by Julia Hoban =-.
I like the new format of your blog.
I saw this at the library the other day but held off on it. I have to read about 4 other review books right now but I plan to go back to pick it up, if it's still there!
Your comment form won't let me post as Ti though. Says my name is too short!!
I really need to read this book! I just have to after reading yours and Hey Lady review.
Going to get it asap.
natalie :0)
Natalie´s last [type] ..Book Spotlight – Amazon Encore presents AWOL On The Appalachian Trail by David Miller