Sunday 26 October 2008

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave.


This book is released in US/Canada under the title "Little Bee".

The blurb gives nothing away about this book.
"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 afterwards 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."

Well, now that is intriguing! So what can I say about this book, without giving the game away?
Here is what I said in my librarything review:

"Imagine the culture shock of coming from a small village in Nigeria, swept up in conflict, to find yourself detained in a UK Immigration Detention centre. You desperately want to belong to this country, learning the culture and language, but its a struggle. "The System" and "The Conflict" as seen through the eyes of one girl, show the harsness of being just one Little Bee in a big big world. "

But it is a bit more than that. There are humerous moments (I wouldn't call it "extremely funny" at all!), and moments of terror, horror, and grief. Little Bee's story though fiction, could be all so terribly true.

Thanks to the people at Booktagger, and Hachette Livre for the opportunity to read and review such an eyeopening, soulful book.