The Beekeeper of Aleppo

A Moving Testament to the Human Spirit

By: Christy Lefteri

Narrated by: Art Malik

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)

Excellent

Moving story, told beautifully. Highly recommended. Insightful and emotional look into the plight of refugees.

Spectacular

The most beautiful written story about such a hard emotional eye opening journey. Who are captivated but the descriptive style and drawn into their world to experience their pain and their hope.

Excellent novel

What a moving, heart-wrenching story! Artfully interweaving the past and the present, it kept me enthralled the whole way through. The narrator read beautifully, bringing the characters and the story to life. I highly recommend this book; it will help you to appreciate the terrible experiences refugees face on their quest for a better life.

Heartbreak and Humanity: A Powerful Journey Through The Beekeeper of Aleppo

The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a beautifully written but deeply heartbreaking story. The author paints such vivid scenes that you can almost feel the dust, fear, and loss clinging to every word. It’s not an easy listen — the subject matter is heavy and emotional, and it definitely stayed with me long after I stopped listening.

What truly elevates this audiobook is the narrator. Absolutely phenomenal. You can hear the emotion in his voice — the pain, the hope, the small flickers of humanity amid so much tragedy. It’s rare for narration to feel this authentic and moving.

That said, it’s not a “feel-good” experience. I didn’t have a great week while listening — it weighs on you — but it’s powerful, important, and beautifully done.

Poignant story

I found this story made me think beyond the tv images of the plights of refugees. I started to think about the loss, sacrifices, and devastation some of these people most face. It expanded my horizon .
I would recommend