Comments for Chris Cleave / Gold / Little Bee / The Other Hand / Incendiary

Comment on GOLD by Jamila

Jamila — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:34:27 +0000

Hi Chris,
Little Bee found its way to me via the St. Croix Animal Shelter Flea Market here in the US Virgin Islands. I read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down. Little Bee, Sarah and Batman are going to stay with me for a long while. Thank you for bringing to life such a beautiful story. I look forward to reading Gold and the many other stories waiting patiently inside you.

Comment on Incendiary by Sherryl Simonsen

Sherryl Simonsen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:26:52 +0000

Hi Chris,
I am always reading a book but I’m a fairly slow reader and don’t spend a lot of time reading each day–maybe one hour. A friend brought me Incendiary on Tuesday morning. I finished it this morning. It is probably without a doubt the most difficult book I’ve had to put down. I wish I could come up with the word. It just leaves you wanting more on every page. The humor is amazing. I’m laughing my head off and then realizing the situation is not funny and I shouldn’t be laughing. So, I feel ashamed of myself. Just kidding. It’s really mesmerizing. Maybe that’s the word I’m looking for. I just can’t quite come up with the right word.

Sherryl

Comment on Author Q & A by Sara Waller

Sara Waller — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:06:01 +0000

I have always scoffed and failed to understand when a front cover screams ‘page turner’ or ‘ i couldnt put it down!’ but this has literally just happened to me whilst reading Little Bee. I am visiting cold snowy Alberta, Canada and the intro of inside cover certainly intrigued me to buy this book Chris… very clever. But i was not prepared for the intense beauty and soaring emotions i would feel whilst reading it… It made me feel shame and anger to be British.. and helplessness to the cause of all the atrocities occurring every minute in this world. It helped me on many levels…to understand the refugees plight when I live with racist and prejudiced parents and Canadian husband even! I have brought my own (from former marriage) three kids up as open minded as I can-as Sarah tries with Charlie. I wanted to take Little Bee into my home forever- her joy at the summer dress… on eating the bird seeds… there are so many moments that will stay with me… You are a master at entwining the characters lives within our own psyche.
I began to read this book yesterday at 2pm for 4 hours then finished it in an hour this morning and it amuses me at some of the comments from other readers who craved an ‘ending’ as if it was a soap comedy or something. To know that Little Bee was free in her mind and had laid her sister to rest was so beautiful and brave- I will be seeking out your other novels and lending this one, respectfully to a chosen few.
Thankyou Chris.

Sara.

Comment on First reactions to GOLD by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:42:01 +0000

Hi Chris,
I am a former asylum lawyer and am reading The Other Hand. Many people told me I would like it, given my former work, but I avoided it for a long time because returning to those memories can be rather painful. I stopped working in the field when I had my first child (nearly 10 years ago) because I knew I could not fail to bring my work home with me. I expect the experience will never leave me and I often think about my clients and the way they were treated not only in their own countries but in the UK, where they had hoped to be welcomed. I particularly love the relationship between LB and Yevette, and your portrayal of the interpersonal relationships and the mindset of a person who has experienced such suffering and agony is poignant.

Thank you for taking the time to see the people behind the headlines.

Lisa

Comment on Incendiary by Candace Clemens

Candace Clemens — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:26:10 +0000

I was impressed with Little Bee. But I liked Incendiary even better. It is brilliant writing and spoke to me and moved me on so many levels. Anyone with a loving heart who has struggled with PTSD, just as a result of loss of a loved one, or even just a small trauma, should relate. There but by the grace of God go all of us.

Comment on First reactions to GOLD by Chris Cleave

Chris Cleave — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:59:14 +0000

Thanks JP – hope you will like it.

Comment on First reactions to GOLD by Chris Cleave

Chris Cleave — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:21 +0000

Hi Thobeka, thank you for reading The Other Hand – I’m delighted you’re enjoying it! Your message meant a lot to me – thanks.

Comment on First reactions to GOLD by Thobeka Sosibo

Thobeka Sosibo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:17 +0000

Hi Mr Cleave I will not comment about Gold novel but I will comment about THE other Hand Novel,M a young gal from the South of African continent and have been touched by d way u write,the more I read the more the book is getting interesting I would love to read more of your work. I like reading I wish my country can become a reading nation.thank you for sharing ur wonderful work God bless!..

Comment on Me and Teddy Roosevelt by Chris Cleave

Chris Cleave — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:50:48 +0000

Thank you Beckie – delighted you like the articles! I loved writing them – it was pretty easy, to be honest, since the kids are so entertaining. Often I was just there to take dictation…

Comment on Me and Teddy Roosevelt by Beckie

Beckie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:47:35 +0000

Hi Chris,
I “found” you through your comments during NaNo. I have been reading your adventures and escapades during my lunch and have enjoyed every minute of it. Your boys remind me of my own little ones (back in the day) and your French in-laws make my American ones seem quite normal if not a little boring.
I have to tell you that even though this Christmas story is four years old the creativity of your children still has me smiling. My nativity scene is a hand carved set from Paraguay but now I wish it had Buzz and a pink Corvette!
Thanks!