Little Bee

Chris Cleave reads an excerpt from Little Bee, the story of a young Nigerian refugee who flees from the tribal oil wars of her country to England. (Running Time: 22:48)

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Chris Cleave's incandescent novel, Little Bee, shortlisted for the UK's prestigious Costa Book Award, tells the enveloping story of a young Nigerian girl, a refugee from the internecine tribal oil wars of her country, who has fled to England in order to survive. Magical and unexpected in the telling, the narrative unfolds through two distinct voices: Little Bee's carefully acquired Queen's English, laden with observational wit, and the more ironic voice of Sarah, an Englishwoman whose destiny is inextricably linked to this young African girl's.

About the Author:

Chris Cleave: Chris Cleave is a columnist for The Guardian newspaper in London. He lives in London with his French wife and two mischievous Anglo-French children.