About the author: Chris Cleave is the author of three novels, Little Bee, The Other Hand, and Incendiary. He also wrote a column for The Guardian for two years. His website includes comments from the author himself, information on his novels, and a place for readers’ comments.
Grade: B-
This novel, formerly published under the title The Other Hand, is a perfect example of false advertising. On the cover the New York Times Book Review clearly announces it as a “affecting story of human triumph” while the back cover tells little of what the actual story is about, and instead attempts to hook potential readers with vague promises of magical storytelling:
“Once you have 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.”
Luckily you have me to tell you what this novel is really about.
This novel is told in a split narrative between a bored English woman and a refugee from Africa. Little Bee, a 16 year old refugee, escapes from Africa on a boat from men who murdered her sister and destroyed her entire village for the sake of oil. Once in England, she is kept in a detention center for two years where she learns English.
The woman, Sarah, is dealing with the suicide of a husband she ceased to love years ago while ruminating on her career, young son, and lover.
What do the two women have in common? Sarah saved Little Bee’s life once in Africa by cutting off her middle finger for some unnamed bad guys. Once Little Bee is mistakenly released from the detention center she finds her way to Sarah’s house (by using her husband’s driver’s license he left on the beach that fateful day).
The novel is a collection of memories and thoughts from both women with very little timely action. Little Bee reconnects with Sarah, and they spend a few nice days together before Little Bee is deported back to Africa.
This story does not have a happy ending, and I would argue is far from a “story of human triumph”.
The writing is decent, though the chapters in which Sarah takes the narrative sound trite and false, when it seems that we are suppose to care about Sarah and probably even respect her. Her character, except for the finger incident, is weak and very naïve, which left me annoyed with her most of the time. Her dialogue also never sounds very natural.
Little Bee’s chapters are what carries the book, largely due to the horrific nature of her experiences and the constant question, will she make it?
The answer, (spoiler alert) is no.
What is so affecting about this story is that it is set in modern times and based in fact. No, there is no Little Bee, but there are many refugees, warfare, and prison-like detention centers all over the world. I suggest reading this book if you’ve already decided on suicide and need just a little push in that direction.
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