The Beekeeper of Aleppo: 'Life can begin again, even when we might feel all is lost'

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Pic: Danielle Kate Wroe

WARNING: This article may contain spoilers

This month's unforgettable novel is a story of hope, triumph, heartbreak and devastation.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo follows the story of the titular beekeeper, Nuri Ibrahim, and his wife Afra, as they flee war-torn Syria in pursuit of a better life.

Documenting their journey across Europe in the hope of finding refuge in the UK, Nuri and Afra face a treacherous journey that will see them transformed from the people they once were, both physically and mentally.

Christy Lefteri's depiction of the horrors of war, and the struggle of people fleeing persecution creates a heartbreaking, emotional novel which shines a light on just exactly what it means to be human.  

Here's what some of our readers had to say about the book...

Pauline Brown from Stafford

The issue of refugees and migration is never far from the news. But even when there is a terrible tragedy such as the loss of at least 27 people in the Channel in November 2021, rarely are we able to put names to faces.

Rarely do we hear the story that explains how these desperate people came to be in that precarious boat and rarely do we know what unspeakable suffering they have endured.

Lefteri fills in these gaps and carries us on a harrowing journey as we accompany Afra and Nuri who are forced to leave behind everything they know of their ordinary lives in a sickeningly war-torn Syria.

Afra, an artist has lost her sight in a bomb attack which also takes their son and Nuri, her husband, a beekeeper face an uncertain future as they make their way to England.

The book is beautifully written. We feel the writer’s empathy for the suffering of her characters. We share Afra’s grief and loss and Nuri’s fear and hope. Their relationship is complex and the physical and psychological trauma they both endure is achingly drawn.

The symbolism of the bees working together in community is a powerful source of hope and endurance and the idea that life can begin again even when we might feel all is lost.

This book made me question once again why we too readily demonise refugees. Each one is a person. Each has their hopes and each has a story to tell. Maybe we can all learn from this.

Rating: 5/5

Shirley Marshall from Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire

This book flowed well, and in that sense was a nice easy read.

It gave a good insight into the thoughts of those choosing to leave their own country and the reasons why. It makes the reader aware of the hardships the characters endure - not only the actual act of leaving and the logistics that came with that, but also of the heartache of having to make those decisions.

I enjoyed this book though and would recommend it to others.

Rating: 3/5

Danielle Kate Wroe from Manchester

This is a really emotional book, but it’s also such an important book and a tale which definitely needs to be told because it actually happens every day.

It made me sick that people actively don’t want to help asylum seekers and the descriptions of the migrants going on boats was haunting, especially after events we hear about in the media.

Also to read about how people are treated at the other side of their journey is disheartening.

This is a story of loss, hopelessness, heartbreak and sadness, but also courage, hope, love and a light at the end of the tunnel.

The characters in this book take pleasure in even the tiniest of kind acts, like being handed a can of Coke when they are in a camp - it just makes you realise the privilege of living in the UK because these people are desperate to go there, but also so fearful they might not make it.

A very touching, moving story which is definitely tough to read in parts, but I’d highly recommend it if you want to learn more about migrants - it might even make you more compassionate along the way.

Rating: 4/5

Nicola Lloyd from Essex

I'd seen this one doing the rounds on Bookstagram and being spoken about favourably online so I was expecting big things, but the story just kind of fell flat for me.

All the horrors of the Syrian war and the journey refugees make are here, but I felt the emotion was lacking a bit. Plenty of sad and terrible things happen but they were conveyed in a matter-of-fact way and knowing how the story ends thanks to the dual-time narrative woven throughout the story, the emotional hits didn't land for me. I wanted to feel the emotion, not be told it.

Having said that, this is really a story about hope. The transitions between the past and present sections are cleverly handled in that the last word and first word are shared, showing how we can be transported to the past with a single thought.

The story is a chance for us to reflect on how we treat refugees. Beekeeper was a stark reminder that refugees are people, something which can be lost sight of.

Rating: 3/5

Liam Marshall from Liverpool, Merseyside

I knew very little about this book before reading, other than it focused on the journey of the titular beekeeper, and his journey fleeing war-torn Syria.

The story really highlighted the horrifying realities facing people who are fleeing their homes and seeking asylum. Nuri and Afra's journey really put into perspective the horrid conditions and dangers people experience. It's hard to see how so many remain hopeful in this situation, but this just highlights the true horror of what they are running from.

Whilst I found the journey compelling, and empathise with people who are forced into this way of life in reality, I did feel a lack of empathy with the characters themselves.

The way this story was written provided great detail into the character's experiences, but in terms of creating well-rounded people I never felt like I truly got to feel what Nuri and Afra were feeling. Considering this a narrative told in the first person, this certainly detracted from a five star experience for me.

That being said, I did largely enjoy the story, and Lefteri's writing truly offered a new insight into a world I knew little about. Her passion for this story is clear. I also enjoyed the flow of the narrative between past and present, with transitions triggered by the smallest of details.

Rating: 4/5

Our group rating for January is...

Watch our discussion panel chat about The Beekeeper of Aleppo Below:

Want to take part in our next book club?

Next up we'll be reading Sirens by Joseph Knox. Submit your reviews here by February 28.

You can purchase your copy of Sirens, and all of our previous book club picks, here.

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