Reviews

Little Family, by Ishmael Beah

lauralovestoread's review

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3.0

Little Family is a story of loss, and a will to survive, and is a deeply emotional read. Five young lives are brought together where they live in an abandoned airplane away from the world.

I wanted to love this book, and maybe I read it at a time when there was already so much hurt and emotion in the world, and humanity, that it just wasn’t the right time for me to pick this up. The story just didn’t captivate me as I’d hoped, but I know many who have loved this and always recommend it.

booksbythecup's review

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Thank you @riverheadbooks for the gifted book.

“Poverty has a great appetite for eating one's dignity, but Elimane was one of those people who fought to keep his, even when that was the only battle he was winning."

“I don't want to choose between surviving and living.”

When I finished this book, I immediately said I will read Beah's other books. A Long Way Gone has lingered on my shelf for years but I'll get back to that in a moment.

Beah's writing is beautiful and transporting. I followed this little family of five—Elimane, Khoudiemata, Ndevui, Kpindi and Namsa—wondering what happened that brought them all together, but immediately being drawn to their determination to live and love the family they've become.

They have an unlikely home, the remains of an airplane that crashed, but they've turned it into a place all their own. After I stopped waiting for the back story, I began to understand there is much to be understood from the lives they live right now to consume my thoughts and emotions. I worried for them each day as "corrupted" for food and money, necessities for each day. I was relieved each night as they returned home.

Each character also had something that was their own. Elimane had his books; Khoudiemata her personal escape to 96 Degrees; Ndevui his morning runs with the music in his mind; Kpindi seems happiest when they all are together; Namsa, the youngest of the family who likes to go listen to Shadrach the Messiah on the beach front.

Each character had a place in my heart Khoudi is who the book eventually centers on. Khoudi as a central figure in the little family, the big sister, wants more than that role in her life. We watch her study the people she comes in contact with to shed the identity, even briefly, of being part of her family. To wonder what it's like to go to school and hang out with friends but also blossoming into a young woman. It's a surprise to her each time she does this, since the majority of her time is spent with the littles family. Her beauty is hidden or made invisible in bulky men's clothes she and Namsa wear as a protection from unwelcome advances or dangers (as women).

I loved Khoudi and all of the little family. I laughed at times and I was stressed at times because I feared the worst for them.

Little Family is about the lives of young people, with more resilience, intelligence and resourcefulness than the people who overlook them, believe them to be.

The surprise in Beah's story telling, in the characters feels extraordinary but tackles so many themes that before you know it, the book has ended. One thing that resonated with me while reading is that there is a difference between surviving and living, one should not have to choose between them.


Next up, A Long Way Gone...

krissyronan's review

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4.0

A makeshift family of children and teens struggling to get by in a corrupt society. Really loved the characters, especially Khoudi. Recommended for adults and older teens.

nlbohr22's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The ending felt very rushed and unresolved - I was hoping for something a bit meatier

basicbsguide's review

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3.0

While I finished LITTLE FAMILY and was left wanting more, I still loved the tenderness within the story. The daily fight to survive was so evident and heartbreaking. I look forward to chatting with the #mysterybookclub readers and the author.

“In Elimane’s days as an apprentice learning to navigate the blows of life, he would have been long gone by now, with William Handkerchief’s bag in his grip. But he had come to learn that he must always plan for the days on which his wits, cunning, and strength would be no match. For the days when nothing you did worked.”⁣


Note: After hearing from the author on his reasoning behind being vague on the specific location of the story and characters back stories I do appreciate it more. Just know as a reader that you will have to fill in the gaps with your imagination. There is much to think about in between the lines. The story can be a universal one and quite heartwarming at that.

jmtanner's review

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3.0

This book isn’t one I normally would read; however, I was trying to get outside my reading “comfort zone” with this one. It was good, just not my cup of tea.

_chloe_reads's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

rebeccafromflorida's review

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While I definitely enjoyed the book, and I’m okay with an open ending, I wanted just the littlest bit more closure. It left me wanting more but in a way where I felt like something at the end was missing.

akamm's review against another edition

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4.0

Listened to the audiobook and finished it in one day. The story is short and it was easy to become immersed in when listening to the narration.

The story follows a group of young adults / children as they navigate life on the streets. They are a chosen family. The book ends up really focusing on Khoudi, as she starts to seek acceptance from a group of rich kids.

Like others, I wish there was more of a balance of characters and I wish the reader learned more about other members of the little family. I also have mixed feelings about the end. It was rather abrupt, but I was most upset because I could have lived in this world for longer!

Overall, a short listen and I would read more from this author because the writing style was pleasant. I would also recommend the audiobook. The narrator was great!

neaful's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25