Yamen Manai's parabolic novel, The Ardent Swarm, tells the story of elderly beekeeper Sidi's encounter with a mysterious predator. When thousands of his bees are massacred by an unfamiliar hornet, Sidi must decide how best to protect his hives. His journey towards knowledge parallels his small village's evolving political dynamics in the wake of the Arab Spring. The novel explores themes including community, survival, and religion.
