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  • The Beekeeper of Aleppo

  • A Moving Testament to the Human Spirit
  • By: Christy Lefteri
  • Narrated by: Art Malik
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (14,510 ratings)
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The Beekeeper of Aleppo cover art

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

By: Christy Lefteri
Narrated by: Art Malik
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Summary

Shortlisted for Audiobook of the Year - the British Book Awards 2020.

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.

In the midst of war, he found love.

In the midst of darkness, he found courage.

In the midst of tragedy, he found hope.

Nuri is a beekeeper, his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo - until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. 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. On the way, Nuri is sustained by the knowledge that waiting for them is Mustafa, his cousin and business partner, who has started an apiary and is teaching fellow refugees in Yorkshire to keep bees.

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.

©2019 Christy Lefteri (P)2019 Bonnier Books UK

Critic reviews

"This is a novel of international significance. Courageous, provocative, haunting, it will open our eyes." (Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz)

What listeners say about The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

One of the best books I’ve ever listened to, heartbreaking yet hopeful, Christy manages to capture horror in events without being graphic and shows how important kindness and love are, it was really interesting listening to her talk at the end about how the book came about. I thought Art’s reading was perfect as it seemed to evoke an almost deer in the headlights description of their journey without truly understanding what was happening from the protagonist when as I listener you can sense the crash about to happen.
It made me angry at the world for not having open boarders and allowing people to trade in others pain and devastation but didn’t leave me feeling bereft although I cried a lot whilst listening to it.

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134 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

If there was one book that the world needs to read it's this one.
This book was so moving I cried when it was finished. So absorbing. It gave an insight into the terrible world of refugees and how people become asylum seekers.
Art Malik's performance was brilliant. He became Yuri.

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85 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Book

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The story was sad but beautiful. The struggle to not only leave your home and country to fight for survival. To take what you can and hope and pray you make it to a better life. This book was a wonderful hope filled read. 100% recommended.

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53 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable through and through

This book was awesome!! and audibledealscom has cheap credits I couldn’t put it down. I was completely invested in the characters from the start. The collaboration was on point. Loved how the story was told from various perspectives and bounced back and forth in time.

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47 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Five stars aren't enought

Best book I've resd/listen to in years. So beautifully written and heartbreakingly sad I think it will stay with me forever.

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45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Weeping

This is a very special book and I think everyone should read it to gain an insight into the lives of those forced from homes and family in the deepest distress through no fault of their own. It is a beautifully written book, full of empathy and love and I’m tearful even as I write this. I think Art Malik was moved as he read it because I could hear it in his voice. Thank you Christy for revealing these beautiful people to us. Let us open every gate to show them kindness and grace.

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41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fabulous story, beautifully written

I loved this book from start to finish. Heart rendering and beautifully told. and read.

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving, Realistic, Touching...

Moving from the first page. Knowing that it was based on people's real experiences was eye-opening and made every step of this epic journey so realistic with great attention to detail told sympathetically. I have had huge sympathy for these people and all people who have ever had to flee their homeland because of a war they never wanted. The Beekeeper of Aleppo, however, has touched my heart with a great sadness for those who will never be free.
The performance was well suited to the story. Overall five stars for an excellent story.

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow, what a book!

Eye's open to the plight of exploited fleeing refugees, extremely haunting & a very dark journey in places. How lucky are we in the UK? As Nuri says"Why does everyone laugh when I say we want to go to England". Very topical & narrator Art Malik superb. Everyone should read this book!

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such a moving story!

Really brought home the plight of refugees, their incredible bravery amid great traumas.
A sensitive reading by Art Malik .

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28 people found this helpful