Little Bee

"From my country you have taken its future, and to my country you have sent the objects from your past. We do not have the seed, we have the husk. We do not have the spirit, we have the skull." ("Little Bee" formerly titled "The Other Hand" by Chris Cleave)

I had this novel passed on to me well over a year ago by a friend of a friend who had recently finished it herself. There is something so unique about taking a book previously loved right from someone's hand. There is no crack of the spine when it is opened for the first time and the pages have become soft and comfortable to the touch. Almost like an aged glass of wine ready to be consumed.

This book was definitely unforgettable. The novel begins one fateful day on a Nigerian beach when two European tourists attempting to enjoy the sunshine and a beverage are thrust into an unknown world where they are forced to make a life altering decision that will ultimately unravel and challenge their relationship, family, and inner belief in humanity. The little girl that is the centre of that decision becomes a mirror of who they thought they were, who they are, and who they will ultimately become. Through the horror and injustice that ensues that girl (Little Bee) becomes a beacon of light providing strength, laughter and love to a broken family.

While many aspects of this book were memorable I would argue that the hype surrounding the second wave release is slightly over the top. This is a beautiful book but is it the new classic that everyone should be talking about? In my opinion other works such as "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver, "July's People" by Nadine Gordimer, and "Disgrace" by J.M. Coetzee provide a much higher level of prose while entwined with a beautiful African narrative.

Then again not all readers are looking for the same thing and if you have never read a novel about Africa and the equally powerful horror and beauty contained within then this is a great place to start.