The Beekeeper of Aleppo: The heartbreaking tale that everyone's talking about

Description

'This is a novel of international significance. Courageous, provocative, haunting, it will open our eyes' - Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live happily in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo - until the unthinkable happens and they are forced to flee. But what Afra has seen is so terrible she has gone blind, and so they must embark on a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece towards an uncertain future in Britain. As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss, but dangers that would overwhelm the bravest of souls. Above all - and perhaps this is the hardest thing they face - they must journey to find each other again. Moving, powerful, compassionate and beautifully written, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. Told with deceptive simplicity, it is the kind of book that reminds us of the power of storytelling.

Brought up in London, Christy Lefteri is the child of Cypriot refugees. She is a lecturer in creative writing at Brunel University. The Beekeeper of Aleppo was born out of her time working as a volunteer at a Unicef supported refugee centre in Athens.

This book dips below the deafening headlines, and tells a true story with subtlety and power * Esther Freud * This compelling tale had me gripped with its compassion, its sensual style and its onward and lively urge for resolution * Daljit Nagra * Christy Lefteri has crafted a beautiful novel, intelligent, thoughtful; and relevant. I'm recommending this book to everyone I care about. So I'm recommending this book to you * Benjamin Zephaniah * Vivid, haunting prose * Daily Mail * A read that champions the resilient human spirit. * Fabulous, Sunday Mirror * A harrowing adventure story that's informative as well as immersive. * Sunday Express * A hard read and not always enjoyable and or relaxing, but well worth it. I came away with a much greater insight and deeper understanding of the plight of refugees. Christy takes us through Nuri and Afra's detailed journey so beautifully that we experience every step with them and feel every heartbreak. -- Jenny Proudfoot, Features Editor * Marie Claire *