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A review by ozshark
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was one of those books that had been on my to read pile, but then I forgot all about it. When I found it again recently, I knew it would be a challenging read, and it was. The things humans can do to each other in the name of war! Fighting for something you believe in is one thing, but the atrocities that follow and the casual disregard for human life displayed by the soldiers here (and in other accounts of war) are heartbreaking. Then you have the predators willing to take advantage of desperate people. On top of all that, there is the knowledge that the millions who have been displaced and seeking refuge from the war in Syria have been doing so for over 10 years now.
This book gives just a small glimpse into what it might be like to live through that situation. To have war come to your home town. To have your way of life completely wiped out. To have friends and family flee, or worse killed. To see loved ones who survive still be emotionally destroyed. To flee to refuge, but leave too much of your heart and soul behind. The main character, Nuri, writes:
"We created great things together, just as you said we would. But this war snatched it away from us, everything we dreamed about and worked for. It's left us without our home, without our work and without our sons. I am not sure how I can live like this."
We journey with Nuri and his wife Afra as they leave Aleppo and try to join Nuri's cousin in England. They are both suffering from the incredible trauma they are fleeing.
The story jumps through several different time periods in Nuri and Afra's journey, often without warning. (view spoiler)
Lefteri does a great job of creating atmosphere. You can really feel the sunshine and happiness when she describes the bee fields in Aleppo before the war, feel the tension and uneasiness in the refugee camps and the malice of the "men in the woods" well before we see details of what occurs there.
The author's acknowledgements at the end show that, while this may not be a true story, each element is based on research and interviews with real refugees and I am sure it is an average depiction of their experience. Overall, I am glad, although saddened, to have read this book.
This book gives just a small glimpse into what it might be like to live through that situation. To have war come to your home town. To have your way of life completely wiped out. To have friends and family flee, or worse killed. To see loved ones who survive still be emotionally destroyed. To flee to refuge, but leave too much of your heart and soul behind. The main character, Nuri, writes:
"We created great things together, just as you said we would. But this war snatched it away from us, everything we dreamed about and worked for. It's left us without our home, without our work and without our sons. I am not sure how I can live like this."
We journey with Nuri and his wife Afra as they leave Aleppo and try to join Nuri's cousin in England. They are both suffering from the incredible trauma they are fleeing.
The story jumps through several different time periods in Nuri and Afra's journey, often without warning. (view spoiler)
Lefteri does a great job of creating atmosphere. You can really feel the sunshine and happiness when she describes the bee fields in Aleppo before the war, feel the tension and uneasiness in the refugee camps and the malice of the "men in the woods" well before we see details of what occurs there.
The author's acknowledgements at the end show that, while this may not be a true story, each element is based on research and interviews with real refugees and I am sure it is an average depiction of their experience. Overall, I am glad, although saddened, to have read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Rape