Christy Lefteri

Seventy years after the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UK is guilty of undermining the very principles of asylum, inhumanely detaining those seeking protection and ushering in sweeping changes that threaten to punish refugees at every turn. But the UK’s immigration system is not alone in committing such breaches of human rights. The fourth volume of Refugee Tales explores our present international environment, combining author re-tellings with first-hand accounts of individuals who have been detained across the world. As the coronavirus pandemic defies borders – leaving those who are detained even more vulnerable – this collection shares stories spanning Canada, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and the UK, and calls for international insistence on a future without detention. Featuring a prologue by Baroness Shami Chakrabarti. The fourth volume in the Refugee Tales series, proceeds from the sales of which go to two refugee charities.

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. On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again. This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers. Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler's adaptation of Christy Lefteri's bestselling novel The Beekeeper of Aleppo was first seen at Nottingham Playhouse and on tour in 2023, and is revived in 2026.

"Med klimatkristen som fond vittnar Eldens bok om Lefteris skicklighet att skriva bästsäljare om viktiga frågor i vår samtid." THE GUARDIANBriljant betyg 5 av 5 Ines Lohr, Bibliotekstjänst, BTJ-häftet nr 1, 2024I nutidens Grekland bor en familj i djupet av en uråldrig skog: Irini, musikern som lär barn att läsa och spela efter noter, hennes man Tasso, konstnären som ständigt målar med skogen som musa, och Chara, deras lilla dotter vars namn betyder glädje. Den ödesmättade dag då deras liv förändras för evigt slickas himlen av lågor som jagar fåglarna framför sig. Skogsbranden som ska ödelägga deras hem och deras tillvaro kommer svepande. I de pyrande ruinerna träffar Irini på kroppen efter den som vållade branden, en fastighetsspekulant som bara hade tänkt bränna av lite mark att bygga på men som istället orsakade en katastrof. Han är döende, men orsaken är oklar, och i sitt ursinne över allt mannen berövat dem fattar Irini ett stundens beslut som kommer att förfölja henne. Medan polisen utreder det gåtfulla dödsfallet sörjer Tasso sin far, som ingen sett sedan branden bröt ut. Tasso brände händerna så illa i eldsvådan att han inte kan måla, och nu har han svårt att försonas med den förkrossande förlusten av sin konstnärliga röst och sin älskade skog. Bara hans lilla dotter, som vill gottgöra den skada som skett, kan ge honom hopp inför framtiden. Eldens bok är en gripande skildring om att hitta mening i kölvattnet av en tragedi, och om de band som knyter människor till varandra och till det land de ser som sitt hem. Christy Lefteri växte upp i London och är dotter till cypriotiska flyktingar. Hennes roman, Biodlaren från Aleppo, sålde över en halv miljon exemplar runtom i världen. Även Sångfåglar blev en internationell bästsäljare. Nu är hon tillbaka med ännu en fantastisk och stark berättelse om det hopp och otroliga mod som finns inneboende i alla människor.

"A tender depiction of loss and healing that raises questions about guilt and blame in the age of climate change."--People "As with The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Lefteri transports the reader to a once lush and now destroyed world."--Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale In present-day Greece, deep in an ancient forest, lives a family: Irini, a musician, who teaches children to read and play music; her husband, Tasso, who paints pictures of the forest, his greatest muse; and Chara, their young daughter, whose name means joy. On the fateful day that will forever alter the trajectory of their lives, flames chase fleeing birds across the sky. The wildfire that will consume their home, and their lives as they know it, races toward them. Months later, as the village tries to rebuild, Irini stumbles upon the man who started the fire, a land speculator who had intended only a small, controlled burn to clear forestland to build on but instead ignited a catastrophe. He is dying, although the cause is unclear, and in her anger at all he took from them, Irini makes a split-second decision that will haunt her. As the local police investigate the suspicious death, Tasso mourns his father, who has not been seen since before the fire. Tasso's hands were burnt in the flames, leaving him unable to paint, and he struggles to cope with the overwhelming loss of his artistic voice and his beloved forest. Only his young daughter, who wants to repair the damage that's been done, gives him hope for the future. Gorgeously written, sweeping in scope and intimate in tone, The Book of Fire is a masterful work about the search for meaning in the wake of tragedy, as well as the universal ties that bind people together, and to the land that they call home.

'POIGNANT' Observer'COMPELLING' Daily Mail'EVOCATIVE' Independent'MOVING' Sunday Express'STUNNING' Kristin Hannah'A WRITER OF HUGE POWER' Heather MorrisA captivating, moving novel of survival, hope and redemption, THE BOOK OF FIRE is the blazing new book from the international bestselling author of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO and SONGBIRDS. AMONG THE ASHES, ONE FAMILY FOUND HOPE . . . In a tiny, beautiful Greek village, deep in an ancient forest, live a family - Irini, Tasso and their daughter, sweet Chara. One day their world is rocked when a forest fire consumes the village, leaving houses burned and lives irreparably damaged. But what happens after the fire? Praise for The Book of Fire:'Beautiful. A compelling story of love, loss, and redemption in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Uniquely crafted and full of both stunning imagery and human emotion, The Book of Fire is a story that will long remain in the reader's mind' Kristin Hannah'Christy Lefteri is a writer of huge power, making us see the world around us through fresh eyes' Heather Morris, international bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz'Lefteri fine-tunes her poignant, intimate family storytelling in The Book of Fire . . . testament to Lefteri's increasing reputation for crafting international bestsellers with real contemporary meaning' Observer'Evocative. An emotive, character driven novel which demonstrates the impact that such a major event has on one family' Independent'A sweeping, elegant story, set against the backdrop of the Greek landscape. Moving and thought-provoking, it exposes the damage caused by human-greed, but also celebrates the power of human resilience' Sunday Express'A compelling, at times anguished, at-a-sitting exploration of trauma, complicity, justice and how to live in our rapacious, heating age' Daily Mail'Christy Lefteri is a magician when it comes to the written word, and although the story is about a devastating event, beauty pours forth from her prose, and this, and the storyline will stay with me for some time to come.' 5* Reader Review'This book made me feel every emotion. I love Christy Lefteri's writing. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is an amazing book but The Book of Fire is an outstanding read' 5* Reader Review'Christy Lefteri has crafted a story of such grief and pain, but also one of hope and love.' 5* Reader Review'Beautifully written, atmospheric, moving and entrancing, all at once' 5* Reader Review'The author's vivid descriptions of the forest, both before and after the fire, help the reader to get a real sense of the loss which these devastating fires bring about. A passionate and emotive story which drew me in from the very first page. Stunning!' 5* Reader Review

"Med klimatkrisen som fond vittnar Eldens bok om Lefteris skicklighet att skriva bästsäljare om viktiga frågor i vår samtid." THE GUARDIANI nutidens Grekland bor en familj i djupet av en uråldrig skog: Irini, musikern som lär barn att läsa och spela efter noter, hennes man Tasso, konstnären som ständigt målar med skogen som musa, och Chara, deras lilla dotter vars namn betyder glädje. Den ödesmättade dag då deras liv förändras för evigt slickas himlen av lågor som jagar fåglarna framför sig. Skogsbranden som ska ödelägga deras hem och deras tillvaro kommer svepande. I de pyrande ruinerna träffar Irini på kroppen efter den som vållade branden, en fastighetsspekulant som bara hade tänkt bränna av lite mark att bygga på men som istället orsakade en katastrof. Han är döende, men orsaken är oklar, och i sitt ursinne över allt mannen berövat dem fattar Irini ett stundens beslut som kommer att förfölja henne. Medan polisen utreder det gåtfulla dödsfallet sörjer Tasso sin far, som ingen sett sedan branden bröt ut. Tasso brände händerna så illa i eldsvådan att han inte kan måla, och nu har han svårt att försonas med den förkrossande förlusten av sin konstnärliga röst och sin älskade skog. Bara hans lilla dotter, som vill gottgöra den skada som skett, kan ge honom hopp inför framtiden. Eldens bok är en gripande skildring om att hitta mening i kölvattnet av en tragedi, och om de band som knyter människor till varandra och till det land de ser som sitt hem. Christy Lefteri växte upp i London och är dotter till cypriotiska flyktingar. Hennes roman, Biodlaren från Aleppo, sålde över en halv miljon exemplar runtom i världen. Även Sångfåglar blev en internationell bästsäljare. Nu är hon tillbaka med ännu en fantastisk och stark berättelse om det hopp och otroliga mod som finns inneboende i alla människor.

'Stunning... will long remain in the reader's mind' - Kristin HannahTHE UNMISSABLE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO AND SONGBIRDS - NOW AVAILABLE IN HARDBACK, EBOOK & AUDIOBOOK.______________________ AMONG THE ASHES, ONE FAMILY FOUND HOPE . . . In a tiny, beautiful Greek village, deep in an ancient forest, live a family - Irini, Tasso and their daughter, sweet Chara. One day their world is rocked when a forest fire consumes the village, leaving houses burned and lives irreparably damaged. But while Tasso and Chara struggle to find the courage to bear what has happened, Irini is tormented by guilt for her part in the fate of the man who started the fire . . . A captivating, moving novel of survival, hope and redemption, as epic as it is intimate, and set against the tormented landscape of our changing world, THE BOOK OF FIRE is the blazing new book from the international bestselling author of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO and SONGBIRDS. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK OF FIRE'Christy Lefteri is a magician when it comes to the written word, and although the story is about a devastating event, beauty pours forth from her prose, and this, and the storyline will stay with me for some time to come.' 5* Reader Review 'This book made me feel every emotion. I love Christy Lefteri's writing. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is an amazing book but The Book of Fire is an outstanding read' 5* Reader Review'Christy Lefteri has crafted a story of such grief and pain, but also one of hope and love.' 5* Reader Review 'Beautifully written, atmospheric, moving and entrancing, all at once' 5* Reader Review 'The author's vivid descriptions of the forest, both before and after the fire, help the reader to get a real sense of the loss which these devastating fires bring about. A passionate and emotive story which drew me in from the very first page. Stunning!' 5* Reader Review

'Stunning... will long remain in the reader's mind' - Kristin HannahTHE UNMISSABLE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO AND SONGBIRDS - AMONG THE ASHES, THEY FOUND HOPE . . . In a tiny, beautiful Greek village, deep in an ancient forest, live a family - Irini, Tasso and their daughter, sweet Chara. One day their world is rocked when a forest fire consumes the village, leaving houses burned and lives irreparably damaged. But while Tasso and Chara struggle to find the courage to bear what has happened, Irini is tormented by guilt for her part in the fate of the man who started the fire . . . A captivating, moving novel of survival, hope and redemption, as epic as it is intimate, and set against the tormented landscape of our changing world, THE BOOK OF FIRE is the blazing new book from the international bestselling author of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO and SONGBIRDS. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK OF FIRE'Christy Lefteri is a magician when it comes to the written word, and although the story is about a devastating event, beauty pours forth from her prose, and this, and the storyline will stay with me for some time to come.' 5* Reader Review'This book made me feel every emotion. I love Christy Lefteri's writing. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is an amazing book but The Book of Fire is an outstanding read' 5* Reader Review'Christy Lefteri has crafted a story of such grief and pain, but also one of hope and love.' 5* Reader Review'Beautifully written, atmospheric, moving and entrancing, all at once' 5* Reader Review'The author's vivid descriptions of the forest, both before and after the fire, help the reader to get a real sense of the loss which these devastating fires bring about. A passionate and emotive story which drew me in from the very first page. Stunning!' 5* Reader Review

Nisha arbeider som hushjelp på Kypros, langt unna hjemlandet Sri Lanka. Hun lengter hjem til datteren, men lønnen hun tjener som hushjelp for den rike enken Petra, er det eneste måten å sikre datterens framtid på. Yiannis fanger sangfugler i smug og selger dem på svartebørsen. Han drømmer om et bedre liv sammen med sin elskede Nisha. Så forsvinner Nisha sporløst. Ingen ser ut til å bry seg, selv ikke politiet. Så Yannis og Petra bestemmer seg for å lete på egen hånd. De blir kjent med Nishas venner og med en mørkere side av immigrantenes liv. Snart viser det seg at Nisha ikke er den eneste som er forsvunnet fra øya. Sangfugler er inspirert av virkelige hendelser og er en poetisk og dypt menneskelig fortelling om hva som ofres på veien mot et bedre liv. Med denne romanen tilbyr Christy Lefteri en stemme til de kvinnene som har mistet sin egen.«En nydelig utført fortelling som sentrerer rundt tematikken rase og klasse, og som løfter den rene og skjære sannheten om arbeidsimmigranter, der veien mot frihet raskt kan vise seg å føre rett inn i en tettvevet felle.» Jodi Picoult«En nydelig roman … Sangfugler vil knuse hjertet ditt for så åpne øynene dine.» Heather Morris, forfatteren av Tatovøren i Auschwitz

Nuri ja Afra viettävät yksinkertaista mutta rikasta elämää kukkuloilla Aleppon laitamilla. Nuri hoitaa mehiläisiä, Afra on taiteilija. Sitten tapahtuu pahin mahdollinen: syttyy sisällissota, joka tuhoaa kaiken, mitä he ovat rakastaneet. Lopulta heidän on pakko paeta. Tuhansien muiden tapaan pariskunta vaeltaa Euroopan läpi etsiessään turvaa. Matkan vaarojen lisäksi Nuri ja Afra joutuvat kohtaamaan surunsa, joka uhkaa etäännyttää heidät toisistaan. Heidän vaikein tehtävänsä onkin löytää rikkinäisessä maailmassa takaisin toistensa luo. Kipeänkaunis, syvästi liikuttava romaani vie lukijan kokemaan inhimillisen todellisuuden kasvottomien uutisotsikoiden takana. Se on ajankohtainen kertomus ihmisen lannistumattomuudesta ja muistuttaa meitä myötätunnosta ja tarinankerronnan voimasta.

Upeasti kirjoitettu, liikuttava romaani. Lefterin fanit eivät tule pettymään. Publishers WeeklyNisha on matkustanut merten halki Sri Lankalta Kyprokselle voidakseen tarjota tyttärelleen tulevaisuuden. Päivästä toiseen hän hoivaa Petran tytärtä; iltaisin hän hoivaa omaa lastaan puhelimen hehkuvan näytön välityksellä. Yiannis saa elantonsa pyydystämällä Afrikasta Eurooppaan matkaavia, suojeltuja pikkulintuja ja myymällä niitä mustassa pörssissä. Hän haaveilee toisenlaisesta elämästä ja avioliitosta Nishan kanssa. Eräänä päivänä Nisha lähtee ulos ja katoaa. Kukaan ei välitä ulkomaalaisen kotiapulaisen katoamisesta, paitsi Petra ja Yiannis, jotka ryhtyvät etsimään Nishaa. He tapaavat naapuruston muita kotiapulaisia, Nishan ystäviä, ja joutuvat kasvokkain siirtolaisuuden synkemmän todellisuuden kanssa. Se, mitä he löytävät, muuttaa heidät ikiajoiksi. Lefteri pureutuu uudessa romaanissaan jälleen unohdettuihin ihmiskohtaloihin uutisotsikoiden takana. Hänen taitava tarinankerrontansa pitää otteessaan ja koskettaa syvältä. Sekä Laululinnut että Lefterin aiempi romaani Aleppon mehiläistarhuri ovat olleet maailmanlaajuisia myyntimenestyksiä.

"A beautifully crafted novel that sits at the intersection of race and class, that flags the frank truth of the life of migrant workers for whom a flight to freedom can become the most finely woven trap."--JODI PICOULT, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Two WaysFrom the prize-winning author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo comes Songbirds, a stunning novel about the disappearance of a Sri Lankan domestic worker and how the most vulnerable people find their voices. Living on the island of Cyprus, Nisha is far from her native Sri Lanka. Though she longs to return home, she knows that working as a "maid" for a wealthy widow is the only way to earn enough to support her daughter, left behind to be raised by relatives. Yiannis is a poacher, trapping the tiny protected songbirds that stop in Cyprus as they migrate each year from Africa to Europe and selling them on the illegal market. He dreams of finding a new way of life, and of marrying Nisha. But one night, Nisha makes dinner, an aromatic dahl curry, for the family who pays her: Petra and her daughter Aliki. Then, after she cleans the kitchen and tucks Aliki into bed, Nisha goes out on a mysterious errand, and vanishes. When the police refuse to pursue the case, Petra takes on the investigation herself, a path that leads her to Nisha's friends--other workers in the neighborhood--and to the darker side of a migrant's life, where impossible choices leave them vulnerable, captive, and worse. Inspired by the real-life disappearance of domestic workers in Cyprus, Christy Lefteri has crafted a poignant, deeply empathetic narrative of the human stories behind the headlines. With infinite tenderness and skill, Songbirds offers a triumphant story of the fight for truth and justice, and of women reclaiming their lost voices.

The heartbreaking follow-up to the million copy bestseller, The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

'Will break your heart and open your eyes' Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz 'I've never read anything quite like Songbirds - a beautifully crafted novel.' Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of Wish You Were Here. Her courage to cross oceans. Her hope for a better life. Her love for a daughter, above all else. Not all tragedies make headlines, not every voice is heard. Nisha has crossed oceans to give her child a future. Now she spends her days caring for someone else's daughter while her own waits for her return, half a world away. For Petra, it is only natural to hire a domestic worker to keep her house clean and her family fed. Their lives have nothing in common, except the love they feel for their daughters. Then one day, Nisha vanishes. No one cares about the disappearance of a foreign domestic worker, except Petra and Nisha's secret lover, Yiannis, the only connection to her daughter back in Sri Lanka. As Petra and Yiannis desperately search for Nisha, they realise how little they knew about her. What they uncover will change them both forever. Inspired by true stories of love and loss, hope and refuge, this evocative masterpiece from the million-copy bestselling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri, is an illuminating story of the power of the human spirit, and the enduring love of a mother for her child, that will stay with you long after you finish reading. Praise for Christy Lefteri: 'This thought-provoking novel of love loss and redemption is thoroughly sublime.' Caroline Montague 'Lefteri is an astonishing weaver of stories.' Daljit Nagra ' . . . broke my heart and kept me turning the pages of her gorgeous novel well into the night.' Alka Joshi, NYT-bestselling author of The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur 'Christy Lefteri has crafted a beautiful novel, intelligent, thoughtful, and relevant.' Benjamin Zephaniah on The Beekeeper of Aleppo ' . . . it's impossible not to be moved by Lefteri's plea for humanity and perhaps inspired too.' Observer, on The Beekeeper of Aleppo 'Courageous, proactive, haunting.' Heather Morris, on The Beekeeper of Aleppo***DON'T MISS CHRISTY LEFTERI'S MOVING AND CAPTIVATING NEW NOVEL: THE BOOK OF FIRE, OUT NOW!***

Birøkteren Nuri og kona hans, kunstneren Afra, har levd et lykkelig liv i den syriske byen Aleppo, men så endrer alt seg. Bombene treffer, vennene forlater landet, og de ser byen de elsker over alt falle i ruiner. Snart skjer det utenkelige, en tragedie så sterk at Afra mister synet. De ser ingen annen mulighet enn å flykte. Nuri og Afra tar fatt på en farefylt reise gjennom Tyrkia og Hellas, gjennom en ødelagt verden, mot en høyst usikker framtid i Storbritannia. Samtidig bærer de på en sorg som virker umulig å leve med. Når de kommer fram, vil de få lov til å bli? Og, kanskje viktigst av alt, vil de finne tilbake til hverandre igjen? Birøkteren fra Aleppo toppet bestselgerlistene i Storbritannia i ukevis og har solgt til mer enn 20 land verden over. En gripende beretning som er perfekt for lesere av Der krepsene synger og Drageløperen.«Birøkteren fra Aleppo er elles ein solid og naudsynt leksjon for oss alle med tanke på kor tung og smertefull bagasje dei har med seg, veldig mange av våre nye landmenn, ikkje minst dei mange som er rivne ut or elden i Syria. Også av den grunn vonar eg at boka kan få stor lesekrets!» Paul Odland, Dagen«Birøkteren fra Aleppo er en leseopplevelse som kommer til å følge deg lenge etter at en ny gru-oppvekkende nyhetshendelse fra flyktningekrisen i Middelhavet har flimret over tv-skjermen.» Bjørn Moholdt, Way2Go«Modig, utfordrende og rørende.» Heather Morris, forfatteren av Tatovøren i Auschwitz«En svært viktig roman … nydelig skrevet og bevegende.» The Sun«Deler av boken vil knuse hjertet ditt, men midt i alt det vonde finnes latter, kjærlighet og håp.» Sunday Express«Denne sterke fortellingen grep meg med sin medfølelse, sensuelle stil og levende og elskverdige karakterer.» Choice Magazine«En roman som står opp for det ubøyelige i menneskesinnet. Strålende.» Sunday Mirror«Christy Lefteri har skrevet en nydelig bok, intelligent, tankevekkende og relevant.» Benjamin Zephaniah«Levende, gripende prosa.» Daily Mail«En forløsende roman om håp.» Irish Independent

Hämta bokcirkelfrågor till Biodlaren från Aleppo här >> Vackra Aleppo. En av världens äldsta städer. Ett världsarv skimrande av brons, med ett virrvarr av minareter och välvda tak. Där öknens närhet kändes i luften och solen kastade en röd skugga i skymningen. Fälten av blommor och sjungande bikupor utanför staden. Luften fylld av dofter… Tills kriget kom och förde med sig mörker, eld och död. När kriget berövat dem allt tvingas Nuri och Afra att ta det svåra beslutet att lämna sitt hem, sitt land, sitt allt. De reser genom en sönderbombad värld, bär på en obeskrivlig smärta, och utsätts för enorma faror. Det enda hopp de har kvar är att de ska hitta trygghet i England och kunna bygga upp en ny tillvaro där. Biodlaren från Aleppo är en gripande och oerhört stark roman som påminner oss om historieberättandets kraft och om den stabila punkt ett litet bi kan utgöra i en värld som har slutat att vara begriplig.

Nuri ja Afra viettävät yksinkertaista mutta rikasta elämää kukkuloilla Aleppon laitamilla. Nuri hoitaa mehiläisiä, Afra on taiteilija. Sitten tapahtuu pahin mahdollinen: syttyy sisällissota, joka tuhoaa kaiken, mitä he ovat rakastaneet. Lopulta heidän on pakko paeta. Tuhansien muiden tapaan pariskunta vaeltaa Euroopan läpi etsiessään turvaa. Matkan vaarojen lisäksi Nuri ja Afra joutuvat kohtaamaan surunsa, joka uhkaa etäännyttää heidät toisistaan. Heidän vaikein tehtävänsä onkin löytää rikkinäisessä maailmassa takaisin toistensa luo. Kipeänkaunis, syvästi liikuttava romaani vie lukijan kokemaan inhimillisen todellisuuden kasvottomien uutisotsikoiden takana. Se on ajankohtainen kertomus ihmisen lannistumattomuudesta ja muistuttaa meitä myötätunnosta ja tarinankerronnan voimasta.