I think Little Bee by Chris Cleave was a classic case of over expectations for me. I saw this book in Borders a few months ago and loved the cover. When I turned the book over to read the summery I was very intrigued by what it said and so it went directly on the top of my TBR list. Then my book club decided that it would be the book for April and I was SO excited to sink my teeth into it. I devoured it and after I was finished I was just like "eh". The story is interesting, and the writing is extraordinarily well done but I think I hyped myself up so much and then I felt a little let down in the end. I also really couldn't find a character that I connected with very well. The book is written in 2 voices and I did enjoy the chapters written by Little Bee best but I really couldn't connect with her, and the other characters just annoyed me. Another thing that might have kept me from falling in love with this book is the fact that this one was right on the heels of The Road and I was kinda obsessed with that book so Little Bee might not even had a snowballs chance in hell with me at that point..
I have never given y'all a summery before that wasn't in my very own words but I feel with this book I am going to have to give you the back of the book. So here it goes...
We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know enough to buy it, so we will just say this: This a the story of two women. Their lives collide on fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two year later, they meet again - the story starts there... Once you've read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds.
Are you intrigued like I was? How can you not be? It really was a decent read but I just didn't really feel it after it was all said and done. Like The Story of Edgar Sawtelle I would highly recommend the book to a Book Club (even though I didn't love the book) because there is a TON that you can discuss. But if you are looking for a light read DON'T go here as the subject matter is pretty heavy. If you are looking for unique then go for it because it is quite a unique story. I am sorry I couldn't give it a better review because I really really really wanted to love this book when I saw it in the book store.
BOOK vs. MOVIE: There is a movie coming out next year it looks like and it will be staring Nicole Kidman. I will probably see it because I feel it maybe a story that should have been told on film. I think Nicole Kidman was a good choice for the roll of Sarah O'Rourke.
RATING: 3 Stars
3 More Reviews of Little Bee:
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
ISBN 1416589635
Pages: 288
If you liked Little Bee than read: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
