Scan barcode
gauriraut's review against another edition
3.0
Got this for free during Amazon's promotion for World Book Day along with a couple other books.
But when I first saw the synopsis I was intimidated reading words like 'allegory' and 'arab springs' together. Connecting real life situations to books allegories is not something I'm very good at. However, upon seeing the page count I decided to give it a go. The short length certainly contributes much to the overall understanding of the story without it dragging on. It's short and sweet (like Sidi's honey). And the English translation is very easy to read without losing any of the poetic writing that I think the original might have.
I wasn't too sure if the prologue was truly needed but it was only a few pages long, so it's fine.
As for the actual story I think I understood it for the most part. And even if I didn't, I loved Sidi's story and his dedication towards the survival of his bees. I liked how we don't really ever get to know these characters beyond their role in this allegory and how we're simply thrust into following them on their journey. Not a lot of things happen and there is no deep message apart from the very obvious one, but I don't think books need to have a heavy plot or have many ideas to be worth reading. The tile is interesting and apt and I enjoyed how it was revealed.
There are a few things/ideas discussed that I didn't like, but those are the author's and my own views outside of the allegory so I won't be commenting on that.
Finally what I loved was how the novella ends on a hopeful note. If only the same could be said for this world. If only.
But when I first saw the synopsis I was intimidated reading words like 'allegory' and 'arab springs' together. Connecting real life situations to books allegories is not something I'm very good at. However, upon seeing the page count I decided to give it a go. The short length certainly contributes much to the overall understanding of the story without it dragging on. It's short and sweet (like Sidi's honey). And the English translation is very easy to read without losing any of the poetic writing that I think the original might have.
I wasn't too sure if the prologue was truly needed but it was only a few pages long, so it's fine.
As for the actual story I think I understood it for the most part. And even if I didn't, I loved Sidi's story and his dedication towards the survival of his bees. I liked how we don't really ever get to know these characters beyond their role in this allegory and how we're simply thrust into following them on their journey. Not a lot of things happen and there is no deep message apart from the very obvious one, but I don't think books need to have a heavy plot or have many ideas to be worth reading. The tile is interesting and apt and I enjoyed how it was revealed.
There are a few things/ideas discussed that I didn't like, but those are the author's and my own views outside of the allegory so I won't be commenting on that.
Finally what I loved was how the novella ends on a hopeful note. If only the same could be said for this world. If only.
brittanynhicks8's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
afmartins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cruzsuzanne's review against another edition
4.0
"Once again, man, in search of land, gave the plague to his fellow man in the folds of his offerings."
necessvryevil's review
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hallbrooke's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mystery_reader_24's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Set in Tunisia, Africa and Japan.