The best fiction can be a way for an author to explore ideas and to get the reader to come on that journey too, even if it is to somewhere difficult. The author of 'The Beekeeper of Aleppo' may very well have had direct experience of the novel’s subject but it is not simply a opportunity to explain the position of refugees, it is much more nuanced than that and a beautifully constructed story.

The characters are so vivid and their experiences and responses presented in such a genuine way, the reader cannot help but to be moved and to possibly reconsider their opinion on the book’s subject. But don’t think it has been written to manipulate you – it is simply a compassionate look at the lives of others which lets us see how, in but a moment, that it could become a view of our own life.

Upon completing this poignant narrative, I was initially inclined to offer a brief review, deeming it a heart-wrenching yet authentically portrayed account of the refugee experience. It beautifully captures the struggles of those seeking asylum, escaping incomprehensible loss and imminent danger. Despite the sorrow, the story is eloquently written, earning my enthusiastic recommendation. I hesitated to delve further, thinking the book's power would speak for itself. However, the depth of emotion and accomplishment in this small volume compelled me to express more.

The Syrian beekeeper, Nuri, and his wife Afra undertake a perilous journey from Syria to the UK, navigating trauma and hardship. Nuri's strength in caring for his blinded and grieving wife is heartrending, revealing the profound impact of their losses. The narrative skillfully delves into the couple's suffering and displacement, with the author's compassion stemming from her experiences as a refugee volunteer and personal connections. The writing seamlessly weaves past and present, using flashbacks, dreams, and a unique chapter transition technique that adds to its emotional resonance. While not lengthy, the book demands thoughtful reading due to its deep sadness and thought-provoking nature. As the refugee crisis takes center stage in the news, this novel stands out as a powerful, emotionally charged portrayal of the journey to asylum. In short, you need to read this impactful and beautifully written work.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I enjoyed this intricate, heartbreaking story! This tale has a twist I did not see coming. Very unique!

This is a heartfelt story of love, loss, hope and survival. The narrator, Nuri, expresses great pain and shows the reader the way in which his world has just irrevocably, heartbreakingly changed. I felt for him, for his wife Afra and for the people he met along his way. I found the focus on the life he was trying to build, the life he loved, in comparison with his new reality extremely moving.

This book did, however, not deliver something for me. I'm not sure what. Maybe it's just that I'm reading it after reading other, more emotionally urgent books regarding modern refugees. Maybe it was the slow pacing particularly on audio. I don't know what, but something within this narrative stopped me connecting to it the way I wanted to.

Gripping story of love and loss. Fabulously written. Will leave you gutted. Kudos to the author for all the emotion you will feel long after you close this book.

What a gorgeous book. In a world that needs empathy more than ever, especially in the light of recent threats of war, this is a beacon of light.

The author approaches this book with pure, honest, and well-informed intentions, and I have no doubt that this would not be as brilliant without her experiences and insights. Lefteri is a fantastic writer, and I highly doubt any other writer could have written this and executed it to such a high standard; she was made to write this story.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a poignant, thought provoking and highly Compelling story of courage, determination, survival, starting over and escaping the horrors of war.

I love reading books with different cultures and backgrounds and this was one of them.

I fell in love with the characters and felt emotionally attached to this book.

Shed a few tears in the process aswell.

This book is for sure worth buying!

A powerful and moving book with a dual timeline of seeking asylum in England and how they arrived here.
I did find it hard to get used to the switching timeline at first, and the visions of the boy, at times it was unclear what was happening, but it is worth sticking with.
I felt the author reflected the refugee experience and the different ways PTSD can manifest well.
It's also touching at times with the glimpses of hope and kindness amongst an otherwise bleak experience.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sad book to read although it had its moments of hope. I really liked the phasing between past and present using one word on a separate page to link them. Many refugee stories are similar to the characters' in this book and the thought of what people go through to seek a better and safe life is so scary.

An acute portrayal of the refugee experience cleverly crafted between how life was, where a fractured family ended up and the transition between the two. You know that this family can never find true peace but root for them nevertheless for them to find the best life that they can.

IIt was really interesting to read about a more recent historical event, rather than those set in world war one / two.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of Nuri a beekeeper and his wife, Afra, an artist who live with their small boy Sami. They are happy until the country they know and love us destroyed by war and they have to flee for their lives.

You follow Nuri and Afra as they face hardship after hardship on their immigration journey to try and reach England. Knowing events like these are still happening even as you sit reading this fiction writing is very sobering.

I found the flashbacks to life in Aleppo, interspersed with their harrowing experience in fleeing and the email exchange with his friend very moving, powerful, compassionate and beautifully written.

A compelling read

I loved this book. Very informative on what refugees go through and why they do what they do. A great read.

A lovely book, made me cry and really opened my eyes to the life of refugees. The writing is fluid and made reading easy.

As someone who spends their days working with and hearing the heartbreaking stories of refugees first hand I was reluctant to read this book in case it didn't do justice to the harrowing experiences they are only too often forced to face. I needn't have worried, this is a beautifully written book that everyone should read.

I am in charge of the senior library and work with a group of Reading Ambassadors from 16-18 to ensure that our boarding school library is modernised and meets the need of both our senior students and staff. It has been great to have the chance to talk about these books with our seniors and discuss what they want and need on their shelves. I was drawn to his book because I thought it would be something different from the usual school library fare and draw the students in with a tempting storyline and lots to discuss.
This book was a really enjoyable read with strong characters and a real sense of time and place. I enjoyed the ways that it maintained a cracking pace that kept me turning its pages and ensured that I had much to discuss with them after finishing. It was not only a lively and enjoyable novel but had lots of contemporary themes for our book group to pick up and spend hours discussing too.
I think it's important to choose books that interest as well as challenge our students and I can see this book being very popular with students and staff alike; this will be an excellent purchase as it has everything that we look for in a great read - a tempting premise, fantastic characters and a plot that keeps you gripped until you close its final page.

I think everyone should be made to read this book. This wonderful novel highlights the plight of a refugee, how desperate they must be to give up EVERYTHING and move to another country, with a completely different language and nothing about the new country is familiar. I loved it. It certainly makes you think about those poor folks in the boats around the world, who risk their life to be able to live without fear or persecution. Excellent read and stays with you long after you have finished it.

This book was absolutely fantastic, I love how the chapters tied in to the past with a single world. I have to admit it really made me think about how we treat refugees because I never think about what they are running away from and they must be really desperate if they are going to great means to get away.

A really emotional and relevant story. Well written with wonderful characters and the effect that grief and trauma can have on all of us as well as the extremes that people will go to to survive and start a new life so far from home.