Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

6 reviews

laurenkimoto's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

A well written book, you can definitely tell the author knows about creative writing.  I feel like the style of writing shifts with the mindset of the characters when looking at the past/present. 


One thing that is constantly lurking in the back of my mind, especially after reading Yellowface, is who gets to tell which stories. I do like that the author acknowledges who they spoke to and what experiences they have related to the topics of this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, War, Death, and Child death

Moderate: Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Blood, Gore, Addiction, Physical abuse, Rape, and Suicide

amyvl93's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I definitely went into The Beekeeper of Aleppo with some unjustified snobbery, and I'm now eating some humble pie, as I found this book to be incredibly moving and an excellent portrayal of the refugee experience.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo follows the journey of Nuri and Afra as they attempt to journey from war-torn Aleppo in Syria, to join their family in relative safety in the North of England, where they have found comfort teaching beekeeping to fellow refugees. Lefteri draws a heartbreaking portrayal of Aleppo, as Afra in particular struggles to leave their home and the place they have experienced unimaginable loss - but this portrayal becomes all the more challenging as we begin to follow the couple through Turkey and into Greece. The novel shines a brutal light on the desperate refugee experience, on the constraints related to safe routes and those who benefit from the desperation of fellow humans to reach a place of safety. Lefteri also shows the reality of the asylum process for people when they arrive in England, which is far from the gold-plated, benefit-recieving experience that certain newspapers would have you believe.

Against this, it would be unsurprising if the characters within the novel became mere ciphers for Lefteri to get her points across - but this is not the case. All the people that Nuri and Afra meet are given human complexity - as do Nuri and Afra as they struggle to adapt to a life having seen and lived the things they have.

Some of the imagery and metaphor used in the novel was a little too on the nose for me, but overall I really enjoyed and appreciated The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Murder, and War

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Trafficking, and Xenophobia

Minor: Deportation

vanessaeco's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

It took me a long time to finish this book. When I get home from work, I try to read at least 1-2 chapters, and I find myself identifying with the characters and hoping for their safety. My heart broke for them. There are days when I don't want to read because I'm afraid something may break my heart. I don't usually read this genre, but I'm slowly getting into it since the prose is so amazing and real that I was moved from beginning to end. I'm at a loss for what to do now that I've finished reading this.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Self harm, War, and Rape

melisayasilem's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Definitely helps you see stuff from a different perspective. I was interested in this book mainly because I wanted to be informed of the struggles of immigrants and people who are forced to flee their country for safety despite their love for it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Murder, Blood, Confinement, and Police brutality

Moderate: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

Minor: Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Self harm

meremesch's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, War, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Islamophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Pedophilia, and Rape

veganecurrywurst's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

This book is just so sorrowful and harrowing. It tells the story of Afra and Nuri and how they are forced to flee their home. In contrast to other stories about refugees, this one focuses on the mental trauma that many  refugees and asylum seekers have to deal with (which is often forgotten). The author has such a beautiful writing style.
I hope more people read this book.
We HAVE to create Safe Refuge Routes to Europe.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, War, Death, Trafficking, Grief, Violence, and Mental illness

Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault

Minor: Murder