Little Bee: A Novel
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Carole888 from Perth City, Western Australia Australia on Sunday, November 3, 2013
This was a book club read for us, this year. It was interesting. I found myself thinking, ... yes, it is possible that something like this could happen. It covers the harsh treatment of African refugees and immigration policy in Britain. (Also a certain oil company's activities in Nigeria.) My sister who lives on the other side of Australia, happened to be reading the same book too, and she was saving it for me. It had a different title though .... "The Other Hand" We were surprised when we realised that we both were reading the same book. I am not sure which title I prefer .............
Released 10 yrs ago (11/3/2013 UTC) at Maylands, Western Australia Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Taken to bc meetup at Tranby House. Lovely to catch up with everyone!! :)
Picked up at meet up. Looks interesting.
My goodreads review:
Really got bored reading this.
I have to admit, I had no idea what the story was as the cover was so vague. If I had, I don't think I would have read it. Not because the story isn't worthy or I have no compassion for refugees, but because it isn't something I would personally want to sit and read and relax with. As someone else stated, this is the kind of thing I would read about in the paper, not read a fiction novel about.
Initially I didn't mind it. Little Bee's voice was real and she and her detention centre friends were well described. I liked the Jamaican girl also.
I also think this fell to bits with the entrance of Sarah. I really didn't like her at all and found her smug and like a caricature of a middle class white woman eaten by guilt. I could have done without little Batman, too. Please! Annoying woman with irritating kid - where could I see that in real life without needing to read about it!
Got to admit, I started flicking mid way through after the beach scene (which admittedly, is pretty bloody horrible) and had lost all interest in reading on by then.
It seems people love the book or hate it. I didn't hate it - it's an important topic and the early chapters are well written. Maybe if they left Sarah's voice out and told the whole thing from Little Bee's voice it would been an improvement. But it definitely wasn't the book for me and I found Sarah not even remotely convincing. Didn't quite get to the end, and I'm okay with that.
Really got bored reading this.
I have to admit, I had no idea what the story was as the cover was so vague. If I had, I don't think I would have read it. Not because the story isn't worthy or I have no compassion for refugees, but because it isn't something I would personally want to sit and read and relax with. As someone else stated, this is the kind of thing I would read about in the paper, not read a fiction novel about.
Initially I didn't mind it. Little Bee's voice was real and she and her detention centre friends were well described. I liked the Jamaican girl also.
I also think this fell to bits with the entrance of Sarah. I really didn't like her at all and found her smug and like a caricature of a middle class white woman eaten by guilt. I could have done without little Batman, too. Please! Annoying woman with irritating kid - where could I see that in real life without needing to read about it!
Got to admit, I started flicking mid way through after the beach scene (which admittedly, is pretty bloody horrible) and had lost all interest in reading on by then.
It seems people love the book or hate it. I didn't hate it - it's an important topic and the early chapters are well written. Maybe if they left Sarah's voice out and told the whole thing from Little Bee's voice it would been an improvement. But it definitely wasn't the book for me and I found Sarah not even remotely convincing. Didn't quite get to the end, and I'm okay with that.
Released 9 yrs ago (10/15/2014 UTC) at Perth City, Western Australia Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending this one off in the 3k bookbag. I'm sure it will find a reader to enjoy it!
I'm trying to read different things at the moment... so I'll try to get into this. If it's not my thing, it doesn't matter. I'll put it onto my Available list... :D