LITTLE BEE

Worlds collide in this remarkable performance when Little Bee, a Nigerian girl orphaned by violence, meets Sarah, a dissatisfied British professional away on holiday. The horror that takes place on an African beach drives the story, which is gripping and thought provoking. Cleave's prose, often eloquent to the point of poetry, dances on the voice of narrator Anne Flosnik. As the point of view shifts between Little Bee and Sarah, their respective pasts come to life, offering surprises and twists. Flosnik's accent and tone change nimbly to suit each lead character. Ultimately, their shared past—one of terror, sacrifice, guilt, and responsibility—keeps the listener rapt with attention. Artfully told and lyrically performed, this audiobook resonates. L.B.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2009]