Book Review: Little Family by Ishmael Beah

4.5 disco balls

Publish date: April 28, 2020 by Riverhead
Category: Literary Fiction, Coming of Age

Little Family pubs today! Check out your local bookstore for ordering details.

I stayed up way past my bedtime one night so I could finish. When I was trying to find the words to describe my reading journey, I was having some difficulty in finding the right words to portray just how quietly beautiful the written words were. When this happens I usually re-read the book jacket for a spark and the word “tender” immediately jumped out at me. It is the perfect word to describe this book.

I was absorbed by the story and didn’t fully know it: it’s one of those low key type books were you don’t realize how engrossed you are until you finish.

Goodreads synopsis: 4.15 average rating
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.

When you read this one, please send me a message or comment below (keeping it spoiler free in the comments) so we can discuss!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through Mystery Book Club hosted on Instagram by Jordy’s Book Club & Boston Book Fanatic

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Find it at your local independent bookstore: Bookstore Link

You may also find me here:

Please note: this post contains B&N & Indigo affiliate links. If you purchase this book through the links above I will earn a small fee; at no additional cost to you. This will help me purchase more books to read and recommend to you all!