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shaleen64's review against another edition
- 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
The story follows Nuri and Afra fleeing Syria through split timelines, which can be difficult to follow, but does not take away from the beautiful writing.
This is a book of love, hope and determination in the face of extreme hardship and loss.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Trafficking, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
kalyaniwarrier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a brilliant piece of work that is heavily regarded in temporal distortion as the timelines shift after every chapter. But unlike other works where such skipping of timelines makes the plot difficult to visualise and piece together, Christy Lefteri has done an incredible job in the pacing and sequencing the plot, readers can be gratified by following the plot without having to give thought to the timelines despite the lack of linearity.
Apart from the various sensitive topics discussed, what one could find most appealing about the novel is the characterisation of Nuri, the protagonist and narrator and his mental health struggles. After losing his son to war, Nuri suffers with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as he tries to distance himself from the trauma he has suffered by making illusions of various sorts to cope with the distress.
I could not point out flaws as the plot and characterisation of the novel does a wonderful job at portraying the tragedies of violence in an apolitical manner.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Xenophobia
maevebm's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Nuri and Afra’s experiences were both so tragic and shared, but manifested in completely different ways. I loved the alternating time lines, as it provided a stark contrast to what their lives were versus what they became. I also found this to be an important reminder that there are ongoing refugee and humanitarian crises, caused by civil war, extremism, and climate change.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Torture
miekss's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
melisayasilem's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
jrdnmanon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and War