The Other Hand (UK)
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“Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl.” READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF ‘THE OTHER HAND’ “Shocking, exciting and deeply affecting” – THE INDEPENDENT “There’s one true story in particular that made me determined to write the novel.” “We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret” “Where can I learn more about Nigeria, London, and the real world of refugees and asylum seekers?” |
* SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER * Shortlisted for the 2008 Costa Novel Award * Nominated for the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book * Longlisted for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award * A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice |
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| Note: THE OTHER HAND is published in the US and Canada as LITTLE BEE | |||
Entries (RSS)
Merhaba Chris!
Küçük Arı ( Little Bee ) romanınızı okudum. Çok etkilendim.( I’m impressed)
Umuyorum, siz ve sizin gibi duyarlı yazarlar, dünyadaki masum insanların katledilmesine dikkat çekmeye ve tüm insanları barışa davet etmeye devam edersiniz.
Başarılar ve başarılarınızın devamı dileğiyle..
Thank you Selma
I just finished the Little Bee and I was enthralled with the contents. The characters were totally real and I actually felt fearful as I read it. Absolutely Great! My sister’s two daughters married men from the UK even though they were raised in Philadelphia, Pa. and Haddon Heights, New Jersey
Thank you, thank you! I just finished Little Bee and was touched in a miraculous way! I am going to buy this book for everyone I love.
Elizabeth – thanks to you and congratulations to your nieces!
Thank you, Fran.
Just finished reading the book. Still can’t return from that books world. I read it surprisingly fast as once I started reding it couldn’t put it down, although English is not my native language.
Fistly, Chris, I realized that the author of this book is a man, when I was half way through the book and I was surprised, because you described a woman’s inner world so precise and believable. Sarah’s charakter I believe is example of many women, struggling with feelings, doubts and desire.
Secondly, Little Bee.. So believable, I can see myself passing by Little Bee and Sarah on the street. As you mentioned in the book, we all have a little sin in as. You manage to expose a reader as being a part of this society, to make to feel a little unconfortable. In Sarah’s case ‘not needed’ things or the things that we can’t really avoid growing up and living in today’s society were peeled off layer by layer untill she found herself. Real eye opener.
Finally, emotional growth. I have to say that you built up emotions so masterful that the reader reaches the level of chatarsis together with the character in the book.
Thank you, will read more of your books.
Gulsina
I finished reading Little Bee yesterday afternoon! Wow! I don’t remember the last time a book has affected me this deeply. I felt so many emotions in the two days it took me to read this book that I couldn’t get to sleep last nite. I think you are a wonderfully expressive writer and I can’t wait to read more of your books!
Why is the title in North America different from the UK? Why can’t the title be the same? I don’t see a logical reason for the different titles. I loved the book and am reviewing it for my book club and would be very happy to receive a reply to my question so it can be shared with the book group.
Thank you for this platform.
Phyllis
Öncelikle şunu söylemeliyim chris bu kitap bana edebiyat öğretmenimin tavsiyesiydi. tüm sınıfa tavsiye etti çok etkilendim üzüntü yönü ağır bastı. bize anlattıkların için sana minnettarım . Başarılar !
thank i loved the book it was amazing im lost for words
You wrote a very powerful book and I am looking forward to discussing it in my book group. I am going to be leading the discussion and I would like to know why the title of the book is different in North America then in other countries? Your interview about Little Bee is at the back of the book, but is there anything else that you can add? I read that you have a sailing background and so do all of the members of my book group. My husband and I took off for 4 years on our sail boat. Are you still sailing? You are a marvelous writer and I can’t wait to read your next book.
Dear Chris,
On the 6th of October 2010, I received “The Other Hand” as a birthday present . The person who gave me the book did not WARN me. While travelling on the train, I started reading it. By the time I was on page three, I had to call the person to thank her once more.
Not just that, I missed my stop and landed in a different city!!! Thats how engrossing your book was.
There were other “mishaps” while I was reading it but I won’t mentione them here.
As a Nigerian (originally from the South East) currently living in Europe and working occassionally as an Interpreter in detention centers, with the police, the customs office, in courts; As a person whose physical body is covered with scars, I could feel the depth of what you were wrting. What I did not prepare myself for was the relationship between Little Bee and Sarah (the incident on the beach) My middle finger still itches!
Your observations of the manners of articulation…the perceptions of the girls “at home”…the hilarious moments…the moments where one is engulfed by fear which is so real one forgets that one is not IN the book. “The Other Hand” is in no way an overlaced fiction. It is REALITY. Thanks a lot for this marvellous book. I will have to buy me “Incendiary” next but say, is it also as good as “The Other Hand”?
Arisbay
I just finished reading Little Bee on my way to work on the train. The book brought me happiness, tears and peace. It was such a moving story and one of the best books I have ever read. I look forward to reading Incediary and The Other Hand. Thank you for opening up some of the real issues that are faced in our world. Your writting is brilliant.
Thank you very much Andrea – and please be careful not to accidentally buy the same book again: The Other Hand is the UK title of Little Bee. Incendiary is another novel.
while i was reading little bee i loved udo in nigerian peace i love it thank you mister cleave because you write this book someone must waken up all people sorry for my english it isnt good enough as little bee may be worse
Thank you Onur.
Chris- I’m quite a superficial young man. But I’m always non judging and open minded- I’ve been to Nigeria hundreds of times with my work.
infact I’ve seen the world quite literally a hundred times over but after reading your book I realised I live my life in a bubble and although I’m not going to run off and become A missionary I have opened my eyes a little wider and thank you for reminding me
Of how lucky I am. X poor little bee. In my mind she’s saved somehow because it was so cruel ..
Chris,
I have just finished reading “The Other Hand’. It would be fair to say that your book made me look at the world and myself again . I went to see the play “Shoah” many years ago. The audience including myself did not applaud at the end of the play. We left in silence. Respect, thought, knowledge, love and kindness for humanity. Your book reminded me of the this play. I was shaken out of my world. I now ask myself what can I do for people in detention centres?
Chris
Absolutely amazing book…within the first 30pages I’d never cried and laughed so much with any book. This book evoked such intense emotions I’d never even realised I had. Also like many who I’ve now spoken to about the book, it opened my eyes and brought home to me the plight of refugees something I’m ashamed to say I’d never paid enough attention to. It is truly a book that will stay with me forever, thank you so much for writing it…
Hello Chris ,
I have already finished your book which called “Little Bee” It was amazing. Actually i read in a 5 days.
I have lost myself in the book. Thank you, for write this book.
We are waiting for your new “bestseller”
Erdim
Hi Chris,
I am an award winning Nigerian British Actress and I am very exited about the film version, I am aware of the creatives involved and I will do everything in my power to gain an audition for this movie. I have read the book and I think its wonderful. Thank you so much for being an inspiration in the literary world and film world.
http://intriguemagazinesummer.blogspot.com/2009/05/rising-stars-gloria-williams-and-ellie.html
Thanks Gloria – I will forward your message to the film’s producer. Good luck!
My sister Andrea (Fernando) gave this book to me..and said ‘weh’, i must read it. Many laughs and cries unfolded as i read every characters journeys and struggles. You definitely captured what is/has happened in the Delta Niger region and hopefully humanity will change. Powerful and moving by far. Can’t wait for your next read!
Thank you for writing a book that has opened my mind and heart to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers everywhere. A gripping story- beautifully written. look forward to reading your future novels.
chris yazdığın bu değerli (küçük arı )kitabı bizlere ulaştırdığın için öncelikle çok teşekkür ederim kitap dediğin böyle akıcı olmalı bizi hayal düşlerimizi gözümüzün önüne sundurduğun için harikasın kitaplarının devamını bekliyorum ve başarılı olmanı çok istiyorum şimdiden çok teşekkürler
Thank you Tara
Thanks Mohini
Hi Mehmet – I’ve put your comment through a translation tool & I think I understand – you are very kind, thank you.
Brilliant. So brilliant in fact that I have chosen this novel to write about in my English A2 coursework, arguing that it should be considered one of the Great pieces of Literature
Just finish of reading the best book ever! Congratulations for all your work that was absolutely stunning!
Awsome novel . I am doing my English Research paper on Little Bee.The theme i choosed is Struggling fo Freedom.
I read Little Bee a couple of months ago and I was left heartbroken. It’s such a great book, but the ending is tragic. Please keep writing, I’m a fan!
This book is giving hope and despair at the same rate, and i love it. Thank you very much.
This book is fantastic. It evokes so many raw emotions and forces the reader to laugh, to cry and to review their own outlook on life. After rading this book I began to review how lucky I am as a human being, and I think it highlights some major current issues such as the wars, and highlights how people need to be more open-minded and selfless about what is going on in the world. Thanks , Chloe
Güzeldi, fakat ”küçük arı ” kitabı sadece ingiltere ye yönelik sanırım.neden böyle yapıldığını merak ediyorum.
hello chris cleave! I’m from Turkey,Amasya. I’m a student in Merzifon Anatolian Teachers Training High School, 9B. I read your book (litte bee) last year. I liked it very much and thank you for your successfull book. In my opinion litte bee is very perfect. litte bee is amazing book and i cry when ı finished book. i wait your e-mail. thank you
hi chris cleave! ı’m aycan again
. I forgot writing something. why did you need writing this book? and also ı hope my english is good because ı want to speak englihs well and ı like writing very much. ı hope you read this message because this is very important for me. because this is the first time ı have ever written message a famous writer. thank you again good day!!!
ONE BIG QUESTION Chris :
Are ‘The Other Hand’ and ‘Little Bee’ the same novel?
I am reading The Other Hand now but I went to bookstore and found Little Bee and read the first pages are the same with The Other Hand.
Are they the same novel? Heeelp…i am lost
Hi Novi – yes, they are the same novel. LITTLE BEE is the US title and THE OTHER HAND is the UK title. Sorry for the confusion – and thank you for reading my book.
Thank you Aycan – for reading my book and for your very kind message. It means a lot to me. Very best wishes to you, and I wish you every success with your teacher training and with whatever comes next for you.
Hello. Congratulations for “Little Bee”. I have just read
only a paragraph from my students’ notes of literature lesson and
ıt was too effective. I asked them to give me to read. I have read
45 pages and I have felt all the things I’ve read in my heart. In
my opinion your book is worth to read and very successful.
Just finished Little Bee. One of the best stories I’ve read in a long time. Well written and should make a fabulous movie (please, no Julia Roberts!) Congratulations!
hello chris cleave! thank you for your e-mail. ı am reading your message now. ı feel very happy at now. and also this message is very important for me so thank you very very very much. and ı will tell this event my english teacher…:) lastly ı wish this new year comes happy and health… see you later
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to say congratulations on Little Bee. It was a great read, perfect for a few days off across the summer break (Aus)
Certainly not what I was expecting, but often (as in this case) that is the best way.
All the best for 2011, Jacinta
Chris, thankyou so much for writing this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it the same day I started it. I have been so deeply affected by it, living as I do in a country with similar detention facilities as written about in your book – I feel a deep sense of shame and I need to do more to help in some way, I just have to figure out where i would be of some small assistance. Your book has made me feel that I will never again be anything but grateful for my life and what it is, but I know that feeling wont last, being human and so with a tendency for such feelings to ‘wear off’ in time. However, what I know will last, are my changed feelings and the glimmer of understanding your book has shown me of the plight of people like Little Bee. In our safe country our minds just cannot comprehend the enormity of the atrocities inflicted upon human beings. Thankyou again.
Chris,I had loved “The other hand” so much! You had so well
sized the african and european souls! During 20 years I lived in
Cameroon so I was and I am still concerned about Nigeria since the
Biafra war,the tragic hanging of the writer Ken Saro Wiva who
struggled legally against Shell,etc.. Concerning Africa,there is a
french association called SURVIE you could contact on survie.org.
May be it will give you other ideas for your next novel i’m waiting
for? Best congratulations.
for the first time in my life i finished reading a novel without skipping pages,every line consist of suspense and intrigue which i cant afford to miss, i must buy a copy each for every member of my family and am a typical nigeria guy studying in uk chris your words touch my soul thank you
Loved Little Bee…I don’t have much time to read anything but my textbooks what with currently being a college student, but I am so happy that I had the urge the other day to go to the bookstore where I passed your book on the shelf. It was the last one left, almost like it was waiting for me. Thanks for an amazing story.
I was amazed and deeply touched by the novel. I remember feeling a lump and a strange pain while reading the book. You just tend to harmonise with pain…misery…grief…no matter from which part of the world the story is.