The Beekeeper of Aleppo

I know this is a little different from my regular posts but I hope to include this as one of the features of this blog.

I would love to share the wondrous world of books with you, reads that have been thought-provoking, enlightening and enjoyable to me. It will be a mix of everything: fiction, non-fiction, Christian and secular and the reflections will come through the lens of my faith and life.

It might seem strange to reflect on books that have no direct bearing on Christianity but I believe that these books have valuable insights inside them. They give us insight into humanity, the intricate nature of relationships and the world around us. As I read these books, the Holy Spirit often brings to mind God's character. There are often interesting parallels that can be drawn and this encourages me to dig deeper into God's Word to see what He has to say.

I also understand that reading books is not everyone's cup of tea and that sometimes certain barriers can prevent you from having the time and ability to read books for yourself. To increase the accessibility to Christian books especially, I hope to include one-page summaries in these reflections to help you remember the main points. You can use these summaries as a starting point to decide whether you want to read these books, which I know for some requires lots of mental exertion. My prayer is that these would be beneficial to you and further equip you in your walk with God and your service to those around you.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Introduction to the Book

Title: The Beekeeper of Aleppo*
Author: Christy Lefteri
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5

Summary: A beekeeper Nuri and his wife Afra come to terms with the impacts of war on their life in Aleppo, Syria. Experiencing loss in more ways than one, they decide to leave behind what they once called home. This book captures their plight for safety and the perilous journey they make to reach England.

*Note: this is an affiliate link which means if you like the book and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

How I Found the Book

This was the first book that I read in 2022 and I think I had low expectations for it which is why it surprised me when it kept me reading deep into the night. It was my first time hearing about this book and this contributed to my low expectations. That and the fact that it was free (well, free with my Amazon Prime).

It was a beautifully written story that brought to life the plight of refugees. The author Lefteri painted the vibrant and warm family home with such precision that it felt like I was there with them. A welcomed guest in their midst, celebrating, feasting and sharing in their conversations. These memories were jarring when contrasted with the violence, destruction and death that was witnessed later.

I had always wondered what it would be like to be on the ground in those moments, whether you would know before a military coup was about to happen, whether there would be signs of political unrest and discontentment. In short, the answer is yes. In the world Lefteri has created, Afra and Nuri and those around them knew. The conflict had been building up for some time. There were signs but it was easier to dismiss and ignore them.

To take heed of the warning signs would mean to do something about them. To pack your belongings, leave behind the bees and your friends and move away from your home. They persuaded themselves that the incidents seemed to be isolated but each time one occurred, it chipped away a piece of their way of life. This slowly built up until one day, all hell broke loose and by then, it was too late to leave.

The intricate details of moments like these, helped me to empathise with the experiences that are forced upon refugees. Lefteri has a gift for writing gut-wrenching scenes, putting her readers on the edge of their seats and moving them with her words. Through this book, she gives us a window into Afra and Nuri’s story however it is also more than that.

Afra and Nuri represent the shared experiences and stories of those who have been forced to leave their homes. They represent those who witness the horrific abuse of power by those who are stronger, who carry around weapons and who slaughter mercilessly to satisfy their agendas. They represent those who choose to risk their lives on floating structures because anywhere seems safer than home. The desperation, fear, and hopelessness of this journey is a shared experience for many, and yet for many of us, something we lack understanding of.

This book provoked me to think deeply about my attitude towards refugees and the many political, military conflicts that occur around the world. It helped me to grow compassion for those around me who have gone through these experiences.

While this book is fiction, it is based on Lefteri’s experiences volunteering in Faros Hope Centre in Athens (which is mentioned in the book) and the real-life stories of refugees who shared their journey with her. This was only something I discovered after finishing the book and I think because of this, it is an even more meaningful contribution to the dialogue on refugees.

If you decide to read this book, I hope you too will enjoy it as much as I did and that you will be moved to know and love those around you who have been forced to leave their homes.