Nuri Ibrahim

Nuri Ibrahim is the novel’s protagonist and narrator. He was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria. Nuri’s father owned and operated a fabric-making shop, and he wanted Nuri to take over the business someday. However, Nuri did not enjoy the business. One day, Nuri’s cousin Mustafa introduced him to beekeeping, which Nuri found interesting and fulfilling. Nuri decided to leave his father’s business and become a beekeeper alongside Mustafa. Nuri is married to a woman named Afra, with whom he had a son named Sami. After the Syrian Civil War began, Sami was killed by a bomb. Nuri and Afra decided to flee the country. The novel recounts their difficult journey from Syria to Turkey, then Greece, and finally England, where they reunite with Mustafa.

The war and the journey are traumatic for Nuri and Afra. Along the way, Nuri forms a rapport...