The Beekeeper Of Aleppo

THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO

by Christy Lefteri

 

Award: Aspen Words Winner 2020

 

Nominations: BookTube Finalist 2020, Dayton Literary Peace Finalist 2020

 

Date Read: November 12, 2023

 

Nuri and his wife Afra have lost everything in their flight from war-torn Syria – their son Sami, their home and even their connection to each other. Navigating a treacherous journey that is about as harrowing as the place they are fleeing from, the Ibrahims relentlessly pursue the reconnection with their dearest friend in England.

 

Only during this arduous journey does it become clear that Nuri is suffering from PTSD. He has invented a child to save, Mohammed, as a psychological replacement for the loss of his son. Nuri is depressed, constantly vigilant and wading through darkness, hoping to find the light.

 

The Beekeeper of Aleppo shows just how difficult the immigrant journey is. All these refugees want is honest work, a sense of home and connection to family. As Sami imagines England, he envisions a place where the houses were solid, where they never fall down. Lefteri further shows how vulnerable these refugees are to cons, violence and other forms of abuse. Tragic doesn’t begin to cover it.

 

This got me to thinking about how many flights have I been on where passengers were sweating balls in the hopes of trying to make their often illegal journeys. How the world turns a cold shoulder to the plight of displaced people, America in particular. How these human beings are regarded as a burden and are so unwanted.

 

Lefteri humanizes the impossible choices facing people from war-torn regions and makes it personal. Regardless of the fact that the Ibrahims are illegally immigrating to England, you can’t not cheer them on and hold your breath that they make it. And what awaits is peace, family, healing and, yes, bees.

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