I never thought I’d have much in common with a girl from the jungles of Nigeria, but it turns out that Little Bee, the title character in Chris Cleave’s novel Little Bee, and I share a profound respect for the English language. However, while we both use language to share ideas and emotions, Little Bee also depends on language to survive.
Cleave gives us two narrators in Little Bee. The first, and the novel’s namesake, begins her story as she leaves an “Immigration Removal Center” near London. To contrast, Cleave also gives us Sarah, a London suburbanite mired in unhappiness. When the different worlds of these two characters collide, everything changes. Western culture meets third world reality, and the results are sobering.
Early in the story, Little Bee addresses the difficulties of mastering “the Queen’s English.” She says,
“Every word can defend itself. Just when you go to grab it, it can split into two separate meanings so the understanding closes on empty air… You are like sorcerers and you have made your language as safe as your money.”
I love this reverence for the power of words, with a special nod to elusive and double meanings. Little Bee understands that she must learn how to wield this power to find safety as a refugee in England. And although she makes mistakes, like calling a cab driver a “cock” because he has hair like a rock star, her words break through the shield of Western complacency to expose us to the reality of her life. About our horror movies she says,
“Horror in your country is something you take a dose of to remind yourself that you are not suffering from it.”
Ouch. But that’s why Little Bee’s voice works so well; she’s honest.
Cleave could lecture to us, but he doesn’t. Instead, he juxtaposes the words of two very different people and allows us to draw our own conclusions. As both a reader and a writer, I admire that technique. But I had issues with other aspects of the novel.
Unfortunately, I could not relate to Sarah or the other “Western” characters, even though I share much more with them than Little Bee. Too often, they came across as self-centered, and even whiny. Also, I couldn’t understand a lot of Sarah’s decisions, especially a big one at the end of the book.
Additionally, at key moments, the plot felt contrived. I understand from reading the author’s notes at the end of the book that Cleave intentionally made the critical beach scene “morally ambiguous”, allowing readers to judge the choices of the characters. However, I don’t believe anyonewould have escaped alive. But then, if they didn’t, we wouldn’t have a story, would we?
I appreciate the book for Little Bee’s thought provoking insights into western culture, globalization, and human nature, and also, of course, for its acknowledgement of the powerful influence of words. But I struggle with several aspects of the plot, most notably the circumstances of Andrew’s death and the closing scenes. I find myself wondering which pieces matter more, characterization, plot, or the writing itself (which is excellent.)
If you have read Little Bee, what did you like best and least about it? If you haven’t, can you share which aspects of a novel mean the most to you? Thanks for discussing!
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Julia
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