Brilliant. The voices spoke to the reader’s soul. I am not disturbed by the ending any more than by the entire reality of our world. Each decision we make has consequences and affects others – we are really not separate, are we? As Bee said, there really isn’t a “them”. Brilliant, Mr Cleave, and lasting.
The juxtaposition of children playing in a kitchen and pretending to be in the jungle and children playing in a’ jungle and pretending to be in a kitchen was breathtaking.

Hello Chris,
As a resident of Texas, I am fascinated with the subject of refugees and the “business” of incarcerating them. I see the symbolic meaning in your choice of ending LITTLE BEE, but I must say that I am left a bit empty. Indeed, Bee does deserve to live a full, safe, and happy life, but don’t we all? Although I understand, I think, your leaving the reader with as many questions as answers, but the bereft feeling I still harbor (three days after finishing the book) is difficult to shake. Thank you for touching so many people in such a profound way. I hope that your lovely story ripples far into the future!
Stephanie

Mr. Cleve, Sorry, even though I found the story of Little Bee enthralling, I found Charlie very annoying. I was an elementary school teacher, and have two daughters. In my opinion, a normal four year old would not talk the way Charlie did unless he had very poor modeling. Charlie should have had excellent modeling with Sarah and Andrew as parents.

This story moves my soul. I have just read it and can’t stop thinking aobut it.

Specifically, what about when the time the men came suddenly on the beach? There were a group of them and there was the leader with the deep wound in his neck. He said he was not a savage. I wonder did he have to have an “offering” (Anderw’s finger) in order to keep his status with the rest of the men. When Little Bee’s sister was being murdered, is that why he went into the ocean – to kill himself?

Also, what about when on the beach Andrew said, “THis is not my / our affair” – then later we have the time at the gas station when Sarah is putting gas into her car and Little Bee thinks she can almost hear ther family’s screams with each drop of oil (not my affair?).

Then when Little Bee is on the river bank for a day of holiday and she has called the police to find Charlie. When Little Bee asks what it means to belong, she is told, “You don’t belong here – You are not British and don’t understand our values- (still not our affair)?

Did Lawrence intentionally tell Little Bee to phone the police when Charlie was missing, betting that she would do it to protect Charlie – thus sacraficing herself for his safety?

Anyway, I live in Fresno CA and would read this story again with a book group. I feel like I need to reflect with others. I would like a kind of book group that meets in someone’s home – could be mine (also with people who actually read the book). Any ideas?

Thank you for giving voice to another of the small stories that make up the enormous story of human rights violations. As a feminist, mother, artist, therapist and humanist, I must say that this story exemplifies my deep belief that all of our actions have deep meaning and we must be constantly cognizant of our action’s implications as individuals and as nations. Whatever fictions were employed in the writing of this novel are overpowered by the reality of the everyday atrocities , small and enormous that we allow, overlook, forget, legislate, justify, and grieve in relation to our fellow humans. Beautiful and horrible.

I absolutely loved this book. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I finished it this morning, and have thought about Little Bee, Sarah and Andrew all day! I loved the way you would drop hints or make a reference about something, then you actually came back to that reference or hint to bring it full circle. Sarah is a great character. She has her flaws, like the rest of us, and she seemed so real and identifiable, and so honest. I kept thinking of how we treat immigrants here in America-what we take from them, how we use them and how they are viewed. It’d be great if this book were required reading in high school and colleges. It would most definitely increase awareness and understanding of the immigration issue, which has recently heated up with Arizona’s new law. I loved Little Bee. she used what she had available to help her survive, even if (especially) all that she had were her thoughts, memories or stories that she made up of her sister in her minds eye to get through. Most of all, I loved how the story was not “told” and how, rather, it unfolded, in layers, and with two viewpoints. A very insightful, compassionate book.

For the past few years, I have felt numb and I have felt as if my heart has turned cold. I am only fifteen years old and reading this book was an amazing experience for me. My heart began to ache for Little Bee and I was feeling something – I was actually feeling something. Thank you so much for a wonderful book; it has given me so much hope and sympathy.

I LOVED this book and I enjoyed every moment discovering the truth of little bee page after page. I could not put it down and I absolutely LOVE the characters of this book. This wonderful piece of writing and it has made me realize a lot of things–very important things. Thank you so much.

I have always found it difficult to find a book that I feel compelled to stick with, certainly books that I absolutely love and cannot put down are few and far between. I found it more than easy to stay up all night with Little Bee, I hate to have just now finished the last lines. Little Bee is an involving story that had me feeling each changing emotion and atmosphere seamlessly from page to page. Until I saw the portrait on the back jacket I assumed Chris Cleave was a woman and mother because of his true to life portrayal of his female and child characters. I recommend this book to any reader who wishes to be reminded what it means to feel truly human.

Dear Chris,
Thank you very much for “Lıttle Bee”. I read it and I loved it. It was very nice story. Yes I will not forget Little Bee after read it….good luck…!