Culture & Social Affairs

Two British novels that poignantly depict the Syrian tragedy

Several fictional stories written by Western authors centred on the Syrian tragedy and its aftermath have garnered popularity and recognition through numerous accolades

Two British novels that poignantly depict the Syrian tragedy

Haitham Hussein
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London: Syrian authors have penned novels and literary pieces depicting the harsh realities of their homeland, both pre- and post-2011.

Some delve deep into the country’s contemporary history, while others strive to dismantle the corrupt and tyrannical system, documenting the many poignant stories that emerged from the sidelines of the devastating war, which left in its wake massive destruction and forced millions of Syrians to flee their homes and seek refuge across the globe.

But the vast majority of these works remained confined within a narrow Arab context, struggling to reach a global audience, save for a handful of exceptional cases where fortuitous circumstances acted as a catalyst for their dissemination.

On the flip side, some authors hailing from Western backgrounds have written fictional narratives centred on the Syrian tragedy and its aftermath. These literary works have garnered popularity and recognition through numerous accolades, and their impact still resonates today.

Western readers, particularly in Britain, have responded positively to these works. Notable examples include ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ by Christy Lefteri, a British author of Greek descent. The book was awarded the Aspen Words Literary Prize and has been adapted into a play currently showing in Britain.

Another example is ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ by Onjali Q. Rauf, a British author of Bangladeshi heritage. The book received the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

Shared British identity and immigrant heritage

The common thread that binds these two authors is their shared British identity and immigrant heritage. Christy Lefteri, born to Cypriot parents, worked with refugees in Athens, Greece, under the supervision of UNICEF.

Meanwhile, Onjali Q. Rauf, with Bangladeshi roots, volunteered in the Calais Jungle, an encampment of immigrants and refugees near the French-British border. In their respective capacities, both authors uncovered and conveyed the tales of numerous refugees, with particular emphasis on Syrians.

Christy Lefteri and Onjali K. Rauf approach their writing in different ways, mainly in terms of writing style and target audience, however, they both share similar observations or conclusions. Both authors explore the pressing issue of asylum and the refugee crisis, with a particular emphasis on the plight of the Syrian people arriving to Britain.

Both authors explore the pressing issue of asylum and the refugee crisis, with a particular emphasis on the plight of the Syrian people arriving to Britain.

They capture their profound suffering as they arrive in a new country, carrying the weight of their pain with them. However, through aid and support, these refugees are able to heal and overcome their trauma, leading to stories of resilience and hope.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Christy Lefteri weaves a poignant story in 'The Beekeeper of Aleppo,' chronicling the Syrian couple Nuri and Afra's tumultuous journey to Britain. Their trek, spanning multiple stops in Turkey and Greece, is riddled with discrimination, hardship, and humiliation.

Lefteri skillfully tells the story of her two protagonists leading ordinary lives until the devastating impact of war shatters their existence. Nuri is a beekeeper and his wife, Afra, a painter, and together they have a young child.

However, war tears their world apart, destroying their home and taking the life of their son. Additionally, Afra loses her sight. Faced with these challenges, they make the courageous choice to leave their homeland, which has become a suffocating prison, in search of a safer future and a better life.

Lefteri depicts the profound changes that overtake her protagonist, Afra. Before the war, Afra spends her days blissfully engaged in the pleasures of motherhood and painting.

However, after the war ravaged her life, Afra becomes a shadow of her former self. She loses her son, her sight, and her will to live. To make matters worse, the arduous journey to safety leaves her violated and broken. It's as if the war has cast an irreversible curse upon her, turning her world upside down.

After detailing numerous events spanning from Syria to Britain in the lives of married couple Nuri and Afra, Lefteri finally reaches the conclusion of her book. The ending is happy and hopeful, as Afra's sight is restored, and she gradually recovers while finding solace in her new home.  

Although she does not forget her struggles, Afra adapts to her new surroundings and becomes a resident. The author suggests that this change of place and lifestyle aids her healing process, alleviates her pain, and restores her vision and optimism. The story celebrates this British "miracle."

Towards the end of her novel, Lefteri reflects on her volunteer experiences at a refugee shelter in Athens during the summers of 2016 and 2017. She discovered that despite their traumatic circumstances, the refugees had an intense yearning to communicate their stories and for others to bear witness to their struggles.

Lefteri discovered that despite their traumatic circumstances, the refugees had an intense yearning to communicate their stories and for others to bear witness to their struggles.

Unfortunately, language proved to be a significant obstacle to their ability to do so. However, the children found a way to express themselves through their drawings, which deeply affected Lefteri. After returning to London, Lefteri found that she could not simply forget the atrocities she had witnessed. She said that her thoughts kept returning to the families and children she had met at the shelter, and she knew she had to do something to share their stories with the world.

'The Boy at the Back of the Class'

'The Boy at the Back of the Class,' authored by Onjali K. Rauf, is a novel that captivates readers of all ages, from children to youth and even adults. Rauf's brilliant novel is more than just a source of entertainment; it celebrates the incredible resilience of Ahmet, a young refugee, as he navigates various obstacles while adjusting to his unfamiliar surroundings and school in Britain, his new home.

Through Ahmet's inspiring journey, Rauf highlights the remarkable kindness and compassion demonstrated by the children who befriend him, creating a warm and inclusive environment where Ahmet can thrive.  

The young child endured the horrors of war and the treacherous sea, only to become a survivor after tragically losing his little sister and her dog. His parents were also lost, leaving him with no knowledge of their whereabouts.

However, through the kindness of an English family, he found safety and comfort. With the support of his classmates, he overcame the language and psychological barriers that hindered his integration into his new life, ultimately reaching a point where he could accept his reality and himself.

In a heartwarming conclusion, he is reunited with his long-lost parents, allowing him to leave his painful past behind and embrace his future with the help and companionship of those around him.

Ahmet's arduous journey towards integration culminates in success as he navigates various challenges that propel him from cruelty and anxiety towards a state of calm and tranquility. 

With the aid he received, he was able to embrace himself and his reality. His story serves as a poignant example of the struggles faced by refugees forced to flee their homes and separated from their families. They must navigate intricate and often treacherous paths to reach a point of stability and normalcy, away from the turmoil of war and destruction.

Onjali, similar to Christy, delves into the harsh realities of war and asylum, posing poignant questions about families torn apart and lost in the wake of catastrophic events.

These calamities seem to linger and intensify with time, haunting refugees throughout their journeys and leading them down treacherous and solitary paths. Even for those who survive, the trauma of war and the difficult roads to safety linger for years, carrying with them the weight of their nightmares and struggles.

These calamities seem to linger and intensify with time, haunting refugees throughout their journeys. The trauma of war and the difficult roads to safety linger for years, carrying with them the weight of their nightmares and struggles.

The significance of Christy Lefteri's and Onjali K. Rauf's works as influential novelists cannot be overstated. However, the question arises as to how literature can play a role in averting or mitigating crises.

Similarly, it raises the question of the importance of the writings of those who have suffered from tragic circumstances and whether their voice is being adequately heard.

Are language barriers hindering their ability to express themselves, leaving them stranded in a world far from the spotlight? Their harrowing tales remain confined to the pages of foreign authors, leaving them to wait for another time when their stories might be disseminated to a wider audience.

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