The Beekeeper of Aleppo

 

"People are not like bees. We do not work together, we have no real sense of a greater good—I’ve come to realize this now."

All the way thru the book I thought the authors inclusion of bees was for a more noble purpose than I actually learned it to be (Ms Lefteri said, in the authors notes, their inclusion might have been inspired by just seeing one.) That was shocking as they were so integral to the story. Knowing the vulnerability of bee colonies and the connection of their health to human health, I assumed the novel was written from the outset with them as a central theme. To serve as symbols of hope ~ for an industrious new life, in an inclusive new country. Whether she stumbled upon the idea or cultivated it deliberately later, the indefatigably of bee colonies promoted that underlying theme throughout the book.

I've never had to emigrate so I honestly can't imagine being uprooted from everything familiar with nothing certain but uncertainty. If reading about it is difficult, living it must be horrendous. The atrocities in Syria are what force these families out of their country. Their experience of PTSD totally believable and understandable. I guessed what the truth was with both Nuri and Afra before it was revealed. What a heartbreaking journey, even as we know they're fictional characters, we can't escape the realization it's very REAL for others right now.

I thought it very commendable that the author volunteered at a refugee camp and that her experience was what inspired her to document some of the situations she encountered. For some reason tho I just couldn't be overly enthusiastic about the result?? Not because of the hard subject matter but rather the writing style felt disjointed and the story just didn't flow as smoothly as I wished. It also seemed more confusing than it needed to be?? I don't know that I could have done better, I just didn't come away powerfully affected...

Comments

[Beth@PlantPostings]

I've heard about this book, so thanks for the review. I'm not sure I'd read it now that I know the bees aren't a big part of it and you found it less inspirational than you expected. Hope all is well with you as the winter progresses. Dreaming about the gardening season ahead!

[Kathleen]

Sorry it took me so long to see your comment Beth! I'm so used to this account being basically inactive I don't check!
Yes, I was a bit disappointed. There are a lot of references to bees but in a different way than I expected. I don't know if you'd read it & feel differently or not. It just wasn't as powerful as I expected.
I'm SO ready for Spring! But when aren't we??!!! I hope it's a great gardening year for all of us.
Thanks for the comment!