The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

by Christy Lefteri

This unforgettable novel puts human faces on the Syrian war with the immigrant story of a beekeeper, his wife, and the triumph of spirit when the world becomes unrecognizable.

“A beautifully crafted novel of international significance that has the capacity to have us open our eyes and see.”—Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

WINNER OF THE ASPEN WORDS LITERARY PRIZE • FINALIST FOR THE DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE

Nuri is a beekeeper and Afra, his wife, is an artist. Mornings, Nuri rises early to hear the call to prayer before driving to his hives in the countryside. On weekends, Afra sells her colorful landscape paintings at the open-air market. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the hills of the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo—until the unthinkable happens. When all they love is destroyed by war, Nuri knows they have no choice except to leave their home. But escaping Syria will be no easy task: Afra has lost her sight, leaving Nuri to navigate her grief as well as a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece toward an uncertain future in Britain.

Nuri is sustained only by the knowledge that waiting for them is his cousin Mustafa, who has started an apiary in Yorkshire and is teaching fellow refugees beekeeping. As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss but dangers that would overwhelm even the bravest souls. Above all, they must make the difficult journey back to each other, a path once so familiar yet rendered foreign by the heartache of displacement.

Moving, intimate, and beautifully written, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a book for our times: a novel that at once reminds us that the most peaceful and ordinary lives can be utterly upended in unimaginable ways and brings a journey in faraway lands close to home, never to be forgotten.

Praise for The Beekeeper of Aleppo

“This book dips below the deafening headlines, and tells a true story with subtlety and power.”—Esther Freud, author of Mr. Mac and Me

“This compelling tale had me gripped with its compassion, its sensual style, and its onward and lively urge for resolution.”—Daljit Nagra, author of British Museum

“This novel speaks to so much that is happening in the world today. It’s intelligent, thoughtful, and relevant, but very importantly it is accessible. I’m recommending this book to everyone I care about.”—Benjamin Zephaniah, author of Refugee Boy

Reviewed by Jordon on

4 of 5 stars

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The Beekeeper of Aleppo was beautifully written. That was the first thing I thought when I started reading this book. It was incredibly moving and emotional. The second thing I thought was, how unfair life is for people in countries where war is immediately around them.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of a beekeeper, Nuri and his wife Afra, fleeing their home in Aleppo, Syria because of war. Having to make their way across the world trying to find somewhere where they can legally seek asylum. It switched between present time in England where they're waiting for their asylum trial, and the journey they had to take to get there, just trying to survive.

This story is very moving, and eye-opening. The things that asylum seekers might have to go through, what forces people to leave their home in search of simply being able to live their life peacefully. I felt heartbroken for Nuri and Afra, but also for all people that have been torn from their homes because of war.

This story wasn't my usual read, and I have read this for a book club, but it was a very good read. Beautifully written and incredibly emotional.

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Reading updates

  • 17 July, 2021: Started reading
  • 23 July, 2021: Finished reading
  • 30 July, 2021: Reviewed