The author and journalist, a columnist for the Guardian newspaper, Chris Cleave discusses his new novel, Little Bee (Bond Street, 2009), that speaks to the asylum seeker and refugee experience in Britain and worldwide. It has been nominated for the Costa Novel Award, and was recently shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave. (Bond Street Books, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Little Bee

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Joining me now is the author and journalist Chris Cleave. He is a columnist for the Guardian newspaper and the author of a novel that’s just been published here in Canada–Little Bee. The Independent describes it as ‘a powerful piece of art . . . shocking, exciting and deeply affecting.’ I will now read from the jacket: We don’t want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice. Two years later, they meet again. The story starts there. Once you have read it you’ll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens. The magic is in how it unfolds. www.chriscleave.com is his website for more. The book is published by Bond Street Books and retails for $29.95. It was nominated for the Costa Novel Award, and was just shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Chris Cleave; Good morning, Mr. Cleave.

Weblinks:

Chris Cleave website: http://www.chriscleave.com

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