Reviews

The Beekeeper: Rescuing the Stolen Women of Iraq by Dunya Mikhail

alaa_ilikecats's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative

3.5

katrinasorochinsky's review

4.0

beautifully done, could have used more context, but a wonderful combination of prose and storytelling.

hale7's review

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Genocide, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexism, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, Blood, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Gore, Islamophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

elotpowell's review against another edition

4.0

Mikhail's discussions with Abdullah invite us into a world we often shy away from. The scattered poems throughout add a touch of personal in an otherwise distant story, and while some don't hit, the vast majority deepen the stories that inspired them. Abdullah's work and passion are inspiring, and his own personal story is one more than worth telling.

jlyons's review

challenging dark informative sad tense fast-paced

3.75

karinzoueini's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

3.75

___puddin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

This book reminded me a little of Stacey Dooley's book: On the Front Line With Wemon Who Fight back. 
Only the stakes are immeasurably greater. This is a harrowing account of the sorrow and destruction left in the wake of the Islamic State. 

P110

"Please don't bomb here. More than half of the items are on loan. Thank you." The next post was a photo of Mutanabbi Street in Bagdad - books were laid out on the floor after it's reconstruction. Some years ago, a car bomb exploded, scattering books and bodies, and damaging cafes all along the street. We probably needed to put up a sign that said, "Please don't bomb here. There are still books to read". 

P 197

"Those buses were sold to Saudi Arabia. Some of the girls were used for service, others would be sold for their organs and body parts." 

dddiane's review

3.0

Important read, heart-wrenching and so informative. I agree with reviews that as a book there was a lot missing. Stories that ended abruptly, details and follow-up missing as well as more background that would have helped fill out the context and history of these people. Should everyone read it? yes - 5 stars. Could it have been more clear, organized and answered more questions? yes - 2 stars.

annecarts's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells the true stories of people that have been kidnapped and escaped from Daesh (Islamic state) being rescued by the Beekeeper in the title.
These stories show the worst and best of humanity. I'm also shocked at how little I knew about this especially as it's happening now. This will definitely stay with me and it would be almost impossible for someone not to be horrified and moved by this book.

My only minor point for improvement would be perhaps a map of the routes taken as I'm not familiar with the geography.

katie_esh's review

4.0

I will not soon forget these stories of women who have faced unspeakable tragedy at the hands of ISIS. The bravery of the women and their rescuers reminds you how trivial some of our problems can be. I sometimes felt like the incorporation of the author’s poetry would weaken the impact of a story, especially when it was in the middle of an intense scene.