This is a beautiful poignant look at the experience of a refuge fleeing from Syria. What does it mean to see? How do different people deal with trauma? As a 2nd generation Syrian American, I was overwhelmed by the tale and imagining the suffering of the Syrian people.

Some stories have so much tragedy packed into them. Yet its impossible to deny that they a hold a certain kind of beauty. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is one of those stories. You go into the story damn well knowing that you aren’t going to get sunshine and rainbows instead you prepare for death and heartbreak. But sometimes mental preparation can’t stop that gasp from escaping. Or your hand from flying to your open mouth in the shape of the perfect O. Or from having your little reader heartbroken for characters that are completely fictional thought up by brilliant minds or loosely based on a true people. And yet your heart still aches for those written in the pages.

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you much about the destruction of lives and land that is going on in Syria. I just know what the American news focuses on. And sadly, it mostly focuses on how we don’t necessarily want to offer too many Syrians reprieve from their uncontrollable circumstances. Which I think has to do mostly with fear. However after completing The Beekeeper of Aleppo, I feel shame because we do not even know what fear is about. Which became abundantly clear after reading The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo is told from the point of Nuri. Nuri is a native Syrian specifically from Aleppo. Which at one time was a place of pure beauty. But hate got in the way and turned home into hell. A hell so full of hate that there is little regard for the human life whether they be man, woman or child. Tragedy strikes Nuri and his wife Afra. And tragedy simply won’t stop. But it pushes them in the direction of the UK. One of the hardest countries for a Syrian native to receive asylum. The Beekeeper of Aleppo describes an intense journey that leaves you shocked, heartbroken and questioning everything you think you might know.

While bees play a small smart in the story overall. I can’t help but be entirely in love with the beauty that these buzzing little bugs brings to the story. I greatly enjoyed the way Nuri worshipped bees. Thinking of them brought temporary happiness that you wanted so badly for Nuri. I don’t know what it is about these little creatures. But I absolutely adore most books where the bees play a part. And the beekeeping aspect may have been used in my favorite way yet.

I do have a very minor complaints about The Beekeeper of Aleppo. As I mentioned above, I don’t really know or understand why there is so much hate in Syria. Why hundreds of thousands have lost their lives or voluntarily left the only home they’ve ever known and chosen homelessness. Lefteri really does not go into the history of Syria. We get a few bits and pieces, but I had to perform my own research to understand what happened in this country. Maybe this was done purposefully. But I am not sure that I liked how this was left out. Or maybe I missed the explanation? It certainly wasn’t a deal breaker though. The 5 stars are well deserved.

I love a story that opens my eyes to a new part of the world. It brings light to a new culture. Despite the suffering and the terrible surroundings, I got an inside look into a part of the world that I didn’t really have any clue about. Nuri at times would reminisce about a time before carnage and warfare. And you can’t help but just get totally wrapped up in his nostalgia for the Syria that he knew and cherished. And as a reader, you truly hope that all the Nuri’s who’ve left home get to see the Syria they knew once upon a time….

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the 5 star read!

This is a truly memorable, moving book and I know it was stick with me for quite some time! The story was well developed and so were the characters, which really made it stand out. Truly worth reading!

Realistic version of what it is like to live as a refugee and strive to make their way to Europe. It is a heart moving tale of obstacles and hardships, faith and hope. Capturing the daily struggles of dealing with being displaced and trying to find his own place in the world, Nuri becomes a beekeeper. More than anything, I think this book helped with connect with Nuri... his struggles to find his new place in the world and care for his wife who is now blind.

Well written character in Nuri..would like to have seen more of his wife featured in the novel too as she is a big part of his world (or maybe I just think she should be).

The Beekeeper of Aleppo follows the story of Nuri, a beekeeper in Aleppo, and his wife Afra, an artist. The war in Syria forced them to leave the city becoming refugees as they are smuggled into Europe.
Nuri’s cousin Mustafa, with whom he learned beekeeping, left Syria prior to Nuri’s decision to do so and has settled in the U.K. Nuri and Afra’s story is told back in forth in time after they have made it to the south of England and throughout their journey to get there.
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This book doesn’t tell the story of the war itself or why it started, but humanizes the story of those who were displaced and affected by it. Nuri and Afra’s tragic circumstances brought to life the story of what has become of many of Syria’s people.

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This was a beautiful, haunting story with so much depth. I love a character driven book and the author captured this couple and their journey with emotion and depth. It’s an important book that humanizes what most of us will only read about or see on the news and hopefully inspires compassion.
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Very powerful and at times heart wrenching story of Syrian refugees and their path to finding a new home in England. This book is beautifully written and although I've read a number of refugee stories over the years I had not yet read one revolving around Syrian refugees; this author appears to have captured their story, their agony and their tragedy quite well in the telling of this young couples trials and tribulations. It was much more suspenseful than I expected and as expected terribly depressing. I do have one minor criticism which is I found the last word transition between chapters a bit too hokey.

"Love was people's way out of the darkness." Lecturer and UNICEF Volunteer Christy Lefteri's debut novel, "The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a stunning and searing examination of the effects of post-traumautic stress disorder on a young couple as they emigrate from Syria following the political strife of 2016. Nuri, the protagonist narrates this struggle as he tries to restore hope for his blind wife, Afra and tries to come to terms with his own feelings of grief.

Lefteri's prose is flowing and heart wrenching and her empathy for her characters kept me glued to the page. It is impossible to put this book down and you will learn and grow from this breathtaking experience. Please read this novel, you won't regret it.

Beautiful, important story. I struggled with the format of the book - it jumped back and forth in time a lot and the transitions weren’t clear so it would take time to adjust, taking away from my enjoyment. Also, I wish I learned more about Afra!

I requested this book because I appreciate books about other cultures, and hoped this would provide insight into what Aleppo once was, what Syrians have been escaping. It's a lyrical, almost other-worldly telling of a difficult situation. A slow, thoughtful read. At times hard to follow.

A gentle love story against the horrible background of the war in Syria. One has to admire the tenacity of Nuri's love for his wife Afra, despite the horrific happenings all around them including the war in Syria and the dangerous and arduous journey to England.
The bees seem to be the driving force that helped bring Nuri and Afra to safety and the key to restoring Afra's eyesight. I cheered at the peaceful end.

What makes this book particularly good is that it feels realistic. One can imagine Nuri and Afra watching their country (Syria) fall apart around them, experiencing the destruction of their livelihoods, the loss of family and friends, physical and mental injuries, and struggling to decide whether to stay or leave. The book describes the perils and uncertainties of the journey -- the threats to life, the squalid conditions of many of the refugee camps, the exploited and the exploiters, the assistance of locals or aid groups, the friendliness of some natives and the unfriendliness of others, the preferential treatment of certain groups of refugees, prejudice and efforts to bridge cultural divides, and the uncertainty of if or when they will be able to leave Syria, then Turkey, then Greece, with the goal of hopefully reaching the UK and Nuri's cousin, Mustafa, who had left earlier. Nuri is faced with uncomfortable and at times morally challenging choices as he tries to keep his wife and himself safe. Making the task more difficult is that Afra was blinded by the bomb that killed their son, Sami. Afra's blindness is revealed in the beginning of the book, so that is not a spoiler. While Afra is physically unwell (blindness), there are increasing signs that Nuri might be mentally unwell (possible PTSD). Nuri and Afra make it to the UK (which is something the reader learns early in the book as well). The book alternates between life in Syria before the civil war and then during the civil war, the B&B in England where they are staying as they apply for asylum, and various stages of their journey from Syria to the UK. In addition to the stories of Nuri and Afra and of Mustafa, the author tells the stories of refugees from other countries that Nuri and Afra meet along the way or who are at the B&B going through the asylum process as well.

The author was a volunteer at a UNICEF-supported refugee center in Greece in 2016 and 2017 and she used her experiences there to develop the story. The version I read was an uncorrected proof and so the author might choose to change the wording in her Author's Note somewhat, but the final line encapsulates the author's goal, which I think she has achieved -- "I wanted to set forth the idea that among profound, unspeakable loss, humans can still find love and light -- and see one another." Despite the losses that Nuri and Afra and the other refugees have suffered, there is still that sense of hope -- they can never get back what they lost and their lives have been profoundly changed by their experiences, but if they can make it somewhere safe, they can rebuild new lives.

I think many people would benefit greatly from reading this book because of the portrayal of the refugee experience. While the characters are invented, there is nothing in the basic storyline that has not happened or could not happen to groups of refugees.

I received an uncorrected proof of the e-book via NetGalley.

Christy Lefteri has crafted a remarkable novel. In the Author's Note she describes her time working at a UNICEF refugee camp in Greece and how deeply it affected her. With the help of refugees in England and informed by her own experiences at the camps, the characters of Nuri and Afra took shape, representing the thousands of displaced from Syria and other war-ravaged places.

These perspectives are crucial to the construction of the book. You can see Aleppo like a painting in front of you, hear the voices echoing in Athens, taste the salty Aegean Sea. But you also feel the devastating and all-consuming hardship of the people displaced from their homes. We move from Nuri's prior life in Aleppo, Syria, back and forth to his applying for asylum in the U.K., one slowly catching up to the other. Every relocation and obstacle hits you like a punch to the gut and the immensity of their situation sinks in steadily until you're swallowed whole.

This is a book about family, friendship, distance and grief. The physical scars may eventually fade, but psychological ones only fester. In The Beekeeper of Aleppo, we see those who are violently thrown from their previous existences begin to unravel and how much of yourself is left behind. I want others to read this piercing novel so we can stop being scared of scared people.

This book is so moving, and human, and fantastic. Not only is it a searing example of the horrors faced by Nuri and Afra, but of all refugees forced to leave their countries in hope of safety. This novel is a marvel, and I hope it becomes a massive hit, because the book is glorious to read, but mire importantly, is a great tool to educate everyone about this massive, modern problem facing humanity today. We as humans are entitled to safety and happiness, and sadly these rights are fragile in the world today.

I was given an ARC copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This story was tragic, hopeful, and oh so very topical! The story follows Nuri and Afra, a Syrian couple, as they travel to England as refugees seeking asylum. We find out about their life in Syria and their journey interspersed with what is currently happening in England as they prepare and follow the process to seek asylum. In the author's note she said, "I wanted to set forth the idea that among profound, unspeakable loss, humans can find love and light - and see one another." I think she accomplished this beautifully! The pain, and tragedy is evident in many of the people's stories we hear, but hope, love and light are also apparent! A great story, I would recommend to all!

Thank you to NetGalley, Christy Lefteri and Random House for this ARC.

I normally don't read novels about war, or refugees but this was one so good. This is definitely a story about loss, despair, love, hope and rebuilding. A fantastic, well written novel.

I very much enjoyed this story though it was sad and made my heart hurt for refugees. The writing had a sort of poetic note that flowed from page to page, allowing me to easily picture in my mind what was being described. Highly recommend!

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW
I have wanted to read more about Syria, so I was glad to have the opportunity to read The Beekeeper of Aleppo. This book is raw and heartbreaking. It tells the story of refugees traveling to Britain to seek asylum after it is too dangerous to stay in Aleppo. This book made me think of Exit West. Definitely read this one.

PRAISE
“Courageous and provocative, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a beautifully crafted novel of international significance that has the capacity to have us open our eyes and see…. Read about this couple, relate to this couple, and understand the world they have fled.”—Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

AUTHOR
Brought up in London, Christy Lefteri is the child of Cypriot refugees. She is a lecturer in creative writing at Brunel University. The Beekeeper of Aleppo was born out of her time working as a volunteer at a Unicef supported refugee center in Athens. This is her first novel.

A sad and beautiful read that carried me along on the emotional and harrowing journey of a Syrian beekeeper and his wife who lost everything in the war. This book is filled with the reality of loss and despair, but it is also a story of friendship, hope and love.

The author writes from her own experiences working with Syrian refugees in Athens, Greece. She heard their stories and felt their sorrows and losses in her heart, resulting in this genuine account. Lefteri is gifted in writing with passion and empathy, and her touching words bring readers into the dangerous, chaotic and heart wrenching world of refugees from warring countries. Especially sad is realizing that these types of journeys are taking place today for thousands of innocent men, women and children and we must not forget.

I highly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher for sending me an ARC.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a sad, heart wrenching tale about a couple whose dreams are torn by the war in Syria and their need to escape. It tells us about their harrowing journey through multiple countries until tjey finally reach England. This is a novel that will make you see the war in Syria in a new light.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is perhaps the best ARC I’ve had the opportunity to read on NetGalley. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve felt so utterly moved by a story that I felt it’s consumed my every thought during and after. War is devastating and I was able to uncover parallels between our main characters’ story and that of my grandmother’s when the Nazis bombed her village in Slovenia.

In “The Beekeeper of Aleppo,” we follow Syrian beekeeper Nuri Ibrahim and his wife Afra from war-ridden Aleppo to England. While we know from the first two chapters that they have made it to safety in England, it’s the events which unfold in-between told in flashbacks—a heart-wrenching, courageous journey of the recent past interweaved with the Ibrahims seeking asylum in the present.

I admit that I have a limited understanding of the Syrian Civil War, but I remember the news images of a bombed city and injured or dead citizens, particularly the children. With the tragedy, fear, and loss that surround Nuri and Afra in this book, it was interesting to see how war changed them, tore them apart, and brought them together when they needed each other the most.

Christy Lefteri is a new author for me. Her writing style was poetic and I grew very attached to these characters. As a former volunteer for a UNICEF-led refugee center in Athens and the child of Greek Cypriot refugees, Lefteri has shared an important work of fiction that is inspired by the numerous stories of the refugees she’s helped. What stood out (and I highlighted these instances in my copy) was the idea of “silence,” which she mentions a lot. It was in these moments that I found myself paying closer attention…listening to what was happening, how the characters were feeling, and to the waves of pain and hope they felt throughout the story.

There are many people I intend to share this novel with and I look forward to rereading the final revision when it comes out in August. Thank you to Ms. Lefteri for writing this beautiful work.