The paths of a 16-year-old Nigerian and a well-off British Woman collide on a beach in Nigeria. Years later, in the United Kingdom, their paths re-crossed and a beautiful friendship begins. Little Bee is an undocumented immigrant in the UK and Sarah O’Rourke is a recent widow.
Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl.
I was hooked right from the first sentence, and I am sure this story will linger in my mind for a long time. I picked this book with little or no expectations. In fact, the blurb of the book says “We don’t want to tell what happens in this book. It is a truly special story, and we don’t want to spoil it.” The story of Little Bee surpassed my expectations.
The story of Little Bee’s family and home in Nigeria, the circumstances surrounding the death of her family, her journey on a ship to the United Kingdom and her time in the detention centre broke me. I wasn’t ready.
Though the story is gloomy and sad, I appreciate the touch of humour to this heavy story. Little Bee’s voice is funny and sad – a beautiful combination of her reality and her personality. Her description of people and places in the UK is so funny. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Little Bee.
The story starts off with Little Bee’s release from the detention centre, her walk to Andrew’s house and when I finally got to the part where I learnt of Little Bee’s experience on the beach, I was stunned and moved by her story. Her story in Nigeria and the UK is a portrayal of strength and resilience.
Another thing I loved about this book is how the author makes the reader pay attention to important issues such as immigration. This is the story of an African girl haunted by a horrific past in a Western country struggling to be accepted. She encounters racism and hostility.
Author, Chris Cleave did an amazing job using two PoVs to tell the story thoroughly. I was very impressed.
Also, Sarah’s love and ability to be of help touched me. Even when she didn’t know Little Bee on the beach in Nigeria, she was willing to lose a finger to save a little African girl.
The book starts and ends with two quotes. Both quotes are meaningful and say a lot about the journey of Little Bee.
Britain is proud of its tradition of providing a safe haven for people fleeing persecution and conflict – from Life in the United Kingdom: A journey to citizenship (UK Home Office, 2005).
If your face is swollen from the severe beatings of life, smile and pretend to be a fat man. – Nigerian Proverb
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