Review: Little Family by Ishmael Beah

Title: Little Family

Author: Ishmael Beah

Published: April 2020, Riverhead Books

Format: Hardcover, 272 pages

Source: Publisher

Summary: 

A powerful novel
about young people in a conflict-scarred land, struggling to replace the
homes they have lost with the one they have created together.

Hidden
away from a harsh outside world, five young people have improvised a
home in an abandoned airplane, a relic of their country’s chaos.
Elimane, the bookworm, is as street-smart as he is wise. Clever
Khoudiemata maneuvers to keep the younger kids—athletic, pragmatic
Ndevui; thoughtful Kpindi; and especially their newest member,
Namsa—safe and fed. When Elimane makes himself of service to the shadowy
William Handkerchief, it seems as if the little family may be able to
keep the world at bay and their household intact. But when Khoudi comes
under the spell of the “beautiful people”—the fortunate sons and
daughters of the powerful—the desire to resume an interrupted coming of
age and follow her own destiny proves impossible to resist.

A profound and tender portrayal of the connections we forge to survive the fate we’re dealt, Little Family marks the further blossoming of a unique global voice.

My thoughts: One of the things I’m most grateful for during this time of social distancing is online book clubs. I was fortunate to be selected to participate in the #MysteryBookClub this month over on Instagram – you throw your hat in, not knowing what the book is going to be, and then if selected, not only do you get a copy of the book, but you then participate in the group chat. 

The selection for April’s #MysteryBook Club was Little Family by Ishmael Beah and I will admit, had it not been for this book club, I probably would not have read this book. But I’m so glad I did. First, the writing is absolutely beautiful…and I know that I will definitely be checking out this author’s other books. 

This book completely captivated me. Yes, it’s a little slow to start as you meet the five young people, but I was so eager to learn more about them that this definitely did not deter me. I loved that these five young people, of no relation, ended up coming together and becoming a little family. I loved how they took care of each other and their fierce protectiveness of each other. 

The author clearly articulates the haves and the have-nots. We see the daily struggle that this little family has each day of trying to make sure they have money for food and also making sure their home stays hidden – a home they have made out of an abandoned airplane in a field.  It’s easy to see why they would be swayed by those in power or those in a higher social class. But at what cost? 

This book addresses so many issues but in a quiet, gentle way. It’s such a great book for discussions because there is so much to unpack. I had a lot of unanswered questions when I finished and it was so nice knowing I would be discussing this shortly after I finished reading it. I know this is a book that will be staying with me for quite some time…it’s a book that makes you think about and appreciate all the little things we often take for granted. I can’t recommend this book enough and am so grateful to the #MysteryBookClub for introducing me to this talented author.