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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC of The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. This book is about a married couple, Nuri and Afra, who have lost their young child to the war in Syria and decide to flee to England. This book is told in two timelines, the present where they are living in England, applying for asylum, and the past journey of leaving Syria and all the hardships they faced. This novel examines the difficulties of fleeing a war-torn country and really gives refugees a voice. This story helps people in safe countries understand more about why refugees want to come to a new country--even with all the problems that arise.
This story was heartbreaking; examining PTSD and grief in a really palpable way. I really grew attached to the characters and wanted so badly for everything to work out. I will say the only thing I wish was different was it didn't include much background info about Syria or their civil war. I didn't know much about it and had to Google for some answers on reasons behind the fighting. I gave this book 4 stars.
This book will be published on August 27, 2019 and I encourage you to pick it up.
This story was heartbreaking; examining PTSD and grief in a really palpable way. I really grew attached to the characters and wanted so badly for everything to work out. I will say the only thing I wish was different was it didn't include much background info about Syria or their civil war. I didn't know much about it and had to Google for some answers on reasons behind the fighting. I gave this book 4 stars.
This book will be published on August 27, 2019 and I encourage you to pick it up.
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is so beautifully written, and the descriptions of Aleppo are sublime. All my favorite parts of the book took place in Aleppo.
I loved the opening, and it got me hooked pretty quickly.
It’s a heartbreaking story of love and loss, that’s based on the authors real life experience volunteering with UNICEF (I think it was UNICEF). I’m also thrilled that the end of the book includes info about and links to some charities working with refugees, and to the real life Beekeeper of Aleppo’s project in the north of England. What a wonderful man.
I loved the opening, and it got me hooked pretty quickly.
It’s a heartbreaking story of love and loss, that’s based on the authors real life experience volunteering with UNICEF (I think it was UNICEF). I’m also thrilled that the end of the book includes info about and links to some charities working with refugees, and to the real life Beekeeper of Aleppo’s project in the north of England. What a wonderful man.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars - an eye opening and heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful novel.
The writing was very good in that it was easy to read and flowed very well. I just never felt any connection to the characters. This was such a sad story and yet I never felt sad because I didn’t feel the connection. The story is so important but this was a disappointing book to me.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hmm, not sure how to feel about this book. It was good in a sense that it definitely isnt what I’d normally pick, and so I am glad I gave the genre a try.
However, it almost lacked a story line… which feels ridiculous to say because of course there was one, but for me, each thing that happened did so with little impact.Like Afra presumably being raped almost felt as if it was glossed over.
It was an interesting perspective on PTSD however, and although I struggled to connect with the characters, I don’t think I ever would be able to. They went through so many hardships that I could not imagine going through myself, which I feel immensely privileged to say.
Overall an interesting and insightful read, but just not my cup of tea.
However, it almost lacked a story line… which feels ridiculous to say because of course there was one, but for me, each thing that happened did so with little impact.
It was an interesting perspective on PTSD however, and although I struggled to connect with the characters, I don’t think I ever would be able to. They went through so many hardships that I could not imagine going through myself, which I feel immensely privileged to say.
Overall an interesting and insightful read, but just not my cup of tea.
I had a hard time putting together my thoughts on this book. It was ultimately disappointing for me, but I find it a good/important read. The main reason I would recommend this book is based on how critical it is that we hear modern refugee stories.
The story is compelling and horrifying, I kept forgetting that it is meant to take place in 2015/2016. It seemed like it had to have been ages ago - but then Nuri would talk about his cell phone, and it would bring me back to reality. My ignorance of asylum-seeking refugees was embarrassing, and this story has provided me with an understanding that I need to educate myself on what hundreds of thousands of people (if not millions) are currently living through.
With that said, here is why I would say it was underwhelming for me:
1. The timelines confused me. The style of the book is non-linear, going from The Past (Happy in Syria), The Journey (Leaving Syria and Seeking Asylum), and the Present. There are also dream sequences (past and present) with a new set of characters. When I was about 100 pages in, I had to google what was happening to see if I was "right" about what I thought was going on. Maybe it was me - and this would be a non-issue to others, but the fluid timelines did not work for me in this instance.
2. Again, just a little ole' me here, but even I caught editing issues. I was sure that I must have been mistaken, because HOW could I catch these things but not editors? But again I googled and sure as shit there were really large inconsistencies. An example is how in one chapter they were sitting by the window watching the sunset, and then a few pages later, they went for an "afternoon walk." HUH? I am chalking this up to why I think the timeline is so confusing lol.
I did love the bees. I saw some reviewers say that the bee symbolism was overdone and overwhelming. But it was the right kind of whelming for me.
If you have read this, I WANT TO KNOW. This would be a fab book club read because it has everything and will elicit many opinions!
The story is compelling and horrifying, I kept forgetting that it is meant to take place in 2015/2016. It seemed like it had to have been ages ago - but then Nuri would talk about his cell phone, and it would bring me back to reality. My ignorance of asylum-seeking refugees was embarrassing, and this story has provided me with an understanding that I need to educate myself on what hundreds of thousands of people (if not millions) are currently living through.
With that said, here is why I would say it was underwhelming for me:
1. The timelines confused me. The style of the book is non-linear, going from The Past (Happy in Syria), The Journey (Leaving Syria and Seeking Asylum), and the Present. There are also dream sequences (past and present) with a new set of characters. When I was about 100 pages in, I had to google what was happening to see if I was "right" about what I thought was going on. Maybe it was me - and this would be a non-issue to others, but the fluid timelines did not work for me in this instance.
2. Again, just a little ole' me here, but even I caught editing issues. I was sure that I must have been mistaken, because HOW could I catch these things but not editors? But again I googled and sure as shit there were really large inconsistencies. An example is how in one chapter they were sitting by the window watching the sunset, and then a few pages later, they went for an "afternoon walk." HUH? I am chalking this up to why I think the timeline is so confusing lol.
I did love the bees. I saw some reviewers say that the bee symbolism was overdone and overwhelming. But it was the right kind of whelming for me.
If you have read this, I WANT TO KNOW. This would be a fab book club read because it has everything and will elicit many opinions!