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The Beekeeper of Aleppo


This moving, intimate, and beautifully written novel puts human faces on the ...
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What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

Created: 06/17/20

Replies: 9

Posted Jun. 17, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

What did you like most about this book? Were you most drawn to the characters, the writing, the emotional storyline, or learning about a different culture, for instance? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?


Posted Jun. 26, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 407

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I connected more with Afra, given her obvious distress with losing her son and having to leave her country. I understood her reluctance to leave Aleppo, even in the face of the civil war and the danger it posed, and her dependence on Nuri to get her where she needed to go in light of her disability. It was clear early on that her blindness was an emotional, not a physical, disability. Nuri was a more closed personality, limited in his response to Afra situation by his understanding of what a man was supposed to be and do for his family, and his reactions -- particularly when they skewed toward violence, did not resonate with me.


Posted Jun. 26, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I connected with Nuri more. I think that in similar circumstances I'd be very much in denial and focused on moving forward, and I'd be frustrated with a partner who was so overwhelmed by grief they wouldn't try. (Not saying that's a good thing; overall I think Afra was better grounded and had better coping skills by the end of the book.)


Posted Jun. 26, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ScribblingScribe

Join Date: 02/29/16

Posts: 189

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I connected with Nuri more. I understood his escape into fantasy and illusion as a way to lessen the shock of all that had happened--the loss of his son, the burning of the hives, his wife's blindness and retreat from life, and the loss of his homeland. He kept moving forward, but allowed himself the fantasy of another child, another reason to live. In doing that, he kept his son alive long enough to get to the UK where he could have the space and freedom to grieve. His imagination kept him from shattering completely--something he could not do if he was to help Afra escape too.


Posted Jun. 27, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
AmberH

Join Date: 05/09/18

Posts: 85

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I was fascinated how Afra coped with her son's death by no longer being able to see. It was such a tender process to have her migrate towards understanding there was nothing physically wrong with her eyes and work towards regaining her sight. Nuri's coping was different, but just as profound.


Posted Jun. 27, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
renem

Join Date: 12/01/16

Posts: 292

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I loved the rawness of the story. You could tell it was crafted by someone who experienced it first hand. I found myself connected in bits and pieces of both of the main characters. I saw myself believing that I may have acted a certain way in a few situations like Nuri did and then again a different way similar to the way Afra did. I hope I will never have to find out how I would have coped in similar circumstances.


Posted Jun. 30, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JustSP

Join Date: 06/30/20

Posts: 21

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

Although I am female, I connected most with Nuri. Perhaps I would not want to explore the pain and grief that Afra experienced when seeing her son die in front of her. However, I am personally more a person of action and could feel the drive in Nuri to get to England and at least try for a different life.


Posted Jun. 30, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Theresa

Join Date: 06/22/20

Posts: 31

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

I liked the transitions between present and past. First time it happened, I thought it was a typo. When it happened again and I realized what the author was doing, I was impressed with the concept. I also liked the many characters. They had distinct personalities and traits so it was easy to remember them. I connected with Nuri the most. His perseverance, the way he cared for his wife, the way he worried about Mohammed when he thought he was real. Also the sacrifices he made to keep them going on their journey


Posted Jul. 01, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckys

Join Date: 08/12/16

Posts: 233

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

What I most liked about this book was the fact that it was so believable. The pictures that you see and the news stories that you read about refugees, just give a snippet of what that journey is really like.. and the injustice and criminal actions along the way... this book brought all of that to life in a very real way. I feel like I connected with Afra most, because we are both women and the thought of losing my child is truly unimaginable.. the grief she felt that led her to lose her sight just seemed real and like something that could really happen. Also her wanting to stay in Syria because it was home.. even when she knew their lives were at stake , I could appreciate that real sense of home and wanting to stay there.


Posted Jul. 14, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Brittany P.

Join Date: 07/14/20

Posts: 15

RE: What did you like most about this book? Which character did you feel more emotionally connected to—Nuri or Afra—and why?

What I liked most about the book was how the writing shifted back and forth between the present and the past, and how seamlessly the author was able to make those transitions. I think that really captured how traumatic events in someone's life really stay with them, even long after it's happened, and that you can never really escape those experiences until you've dealt with the trauma.

I felt more emotionally connected to Nuri throughout the story. Even though Nuri had also endured unimaginable tragedy, he put his focus on finding a way to London and tried to put his emotions aside in order to keep Afra safe. It was only after they made it to London where you begin to see the PTSD have a greater affect on him.


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