• Little Bee

  • A Novel
  • By: Chris Cleave
  • Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (494 ratings)

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Little Bee  By  cover art

Little Bee

By: Chris Cleave
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
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Publisher's summary

Little Bee, the young female refugee from the Nigerian delta, must master the Queen's English and the Queen's England if she is to escape her past and make a life in the UK after two years in a refugee detention center. The novel opens on the day Little Bee is released from the center with no identification papers and only the address of an English couple, Andrew and Sarah, whom she once met on a Nigerian beach. All three of their lives were horribly changed by that meeting on the beach. When Little Bee unexpectedly appears at Sarah's doorstep, it is the day of Andrew's funeral.

Told in turns in the first person by Little Bee and Sarah, the novel follows these two women as they struggle to save each other and themselves. Little Bee tries to make a life for herself in a totally alien land while Sarah must come to terms with her choices in London, including an extramarital affair and her seemingly frivolous career path. United by their past and by love for Sarah's young son, Charlie, Little Bee and Sarah become indispensable to each other. But their bond will face the ultimate test when the system catches up with Little Bee, and each woman must make a devastating decision.

©2009 Chris Cleave (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

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What listeners say about Little Bee

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

Little Bee

Another favorite. I've listened to it 4 times. Anne Flosnick is one of my favorite narrators. She made this character come to life. It was easy to lover Little Bee.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Character and plot annoyingly implausible

Although it is well narrated, this book irritated me for 3 reasons. 1. In several places the plot is moved along through implausible devices. E.g. When Little Bee is selected to phone the police, even though she barely knows how to use a phone. 2. The thought and speech of characters is often implausible. E.g. The tiresome way Charlie the little boy makes a grammatical mistake in every utterance. 3. It employs predictable, well-worn stereotypes: e.g. the white working class racists that Bee encounters everywhere telling her to get back to Umbongo land. There are some clever and sometime witty conceits (e.g. Bee's thoughts about the queen). And I wouldn't say it was a bad book--just an annoying one.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

What a disappointment

Great idea, poor execution.

I thought a story about the connection between a young Nigerian refugee and grieving British woman would be powerful and moving. But I found the story far-fetched and the characters annoying. I often didn't believe the dialogue or the character's choices, which meant that I stopped caring what would happen.

The narration was fine, but in this instance it would have made sense to have two narrators, since there are two clear voices in the book telling the story. I am often a fan of one narrator books, but in this case it would have been better with two. Not that that would have made me enjoy the story... but, still.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Breath of Fresh Air

Chris Cleave brings a fresh take on a classic genre. I read this book for work, (high school English teacher) and the almost eleven hours flew right by, well crafted, dynamic characters and strong narration.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not for the gentle reader

An interesting story that could be told without the details on sexual moments. The language was offensive and not necessary. I stopped listening before finishing the book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hard to press stop

The book was great, easy listen. After I pause, I was always looking for the next opportunity to listen again,.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Is that how it ends?

How did the book end there?
Think it needed a wrap up or something! Waiting for more

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

honesty

slow start, but got into the realities of life and human nature and values, which caused great reflection and interest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story.

Always been a favorite of mine. Feels so real. The narration really brings it home. Wonderful story cannot recommend enough to people who want to read something that feels real.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this story!

I loved this story! The only thing that was a little off for me was the ending Also, the performance by the reader was excellent!

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