War and conflict often bring out the worst in humanity, tearing families and communities apart. But they can also reveal our shared hopes and dreams that transcend borders. This is the central message of Christy Lefteri’s moving novel A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible
Published in 2019, the book tells the story of two star-crossed lovers separated by the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces Drawing on historical events, Lefteri shows how ordinary people’s lives were upended by forces beyond their control Yet the characters respond with resilience and humanity despite the surrounding violence.
Overview of the Novel’s Plot and Key Characters
The novel opens in the small seaside town of Kyrenia on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. We meet several local Greek Cypriot women who have been rounded up by the invading Turkish soldiers and placed under house arrest. Among them is Kokoni “Koki” Papadopoulos, an outcast in her traditional village because she became pregnant out of wedlock years earlier. The conservative townspeople assumed Koki was loose and immoral. In truth, she had fallen deeply in love with a Turkish shoemaker named Adem Berker when he briefly visited Kyrenia. After Adem left, Koki discovered she was having his child but kept the pregnancy secret to protect them both.
Now locked in close quarters with the very women who judged her Koki finally reveals the truth about Adem and their forbidden interfaith relationship. Her story alternates with Adem’s perspective as he searches desperately for Koki amidst the chaos of the invasion. As a Turkish soldier, he risks his life to find his lost love and the child he never knew he had.
The unlikely couple represents how love can take root across divides. Their story personalizes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, showing its emotional toll on everyday people. As one reviewer wrote, the novel paints a “heart wrenching” portrait of “the collateral damage arena during the Turkish /Cypriot conflict.”
Chronicling the Division of Cyprus
Lefteri chose the tumultuous Cypriot conflict as the backdrop for her star-crossed romance. The island has a long history of division. Cyprus was part of the Ottoman Empire until the late 19th century when Britain took control. In 1960, Cyprus finally gained independence from the UK, but tensions were rising between the island’s Greek and Turkish populations.
In 1974, the nationalist Greek Cypriot group EOKA-B briefly overthrew the Cypriot government in a coup. This prompted Turkey to invade under the guise of protecting Turkish Cypriots. The north-south divide was cemented in 1983 when Turkish Cypriots declared independence for the northern Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The new border split many families and communities, causing mass displacement.
Lefteri sets her novel at the start of the conflict in 1974, capturing the uncertainty and fear Cypriots faced. Reviewers highlight how the book transports readers directly into the “desperate ugliness of war” and shows war’s personal impact on “ordinary people.”
Universal Themes of Love and Humanity
At its core, A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible is a story of individuals caught up in historical forces beyond their control. Lefteri’s characters have simple dreams of love, family, and belonging. Their dashed hopes humanize the civilians who suffer most in armed conflicts.
The unlikely romance between Koki and Adem shows how love can take root across social, ethnic, and religious divides. One reviewer explains, “You quickly get the feeling of tension, threat, fear and how the characters go about handling the invasion and coping with the odd one in their cultural mix.”
Lefteri also explores the judgment Koki faces in her village for bucking social norms. Yet Koki’s humanity and integrity shine through the cruelty of those who rejected her. Multiple reviews praise how Lefteri develops nuanced characters dealing with complex social dynamics.
Overall, the book conveys a message of shared humanity and hope amidst division. As one reviewer writes, “the undying love of the main characters wins over much of the hatred felt.” The novel pulls readers into history but transcends the specifics of the Cypriot conflict through its empathetic character portrayals.
Lefteri’s Literary Style and Influences
Lefteri’s lyrical, evocative style transports readers directly into her vivid settings. Multiple reviewers praise her ability to create a rich sense of place, from the close-knit Cypriot village to the chaotic onset of war. As one put it, Lefteri’s “poetical language” and “emotional depth” bring the landscape and characters emotionally alive.
Reviewers frequently compare Lefteri to Khaled Hosseini, whose novels The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns also depict regular people caught up in war. The gripping but heartfelt storytelling of writers like Hosseini and Lefteri create an intimate window into human suffering and resilience amidst historic conflicts.
Some readers find Lefteri’s extensive descriptions slow the plot’s pace and emotional impact at times. A few recommend her debut The Beekeeper of Aleppo over A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible for its more propulsive storyline. But most agree that Lefteri’s lyrical style successfully transports readers into the perspective of civilians in war-torn settings.
Why This Novel Resonates Today
Since its 2019 release, A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible has remained relevant for today’s polarized times. Reviewers recommend the novel for shedding light on a little-known conflict and showing war’s toll at a personal level. As one put it, the book provides “a glimpse into how innocent people going peacefully about their family lives for generations suddenly found themselves in the middle of a political/religious conflict and destruction.”
Lefteri’s strong character development builds empathy for perspectives some readers may not have understood before. Her protagonists’ simple desire for love and connection amidst hate reminds us of our shared humanity across borders.
For those overwhelmed by current events, the book offers an uplifting message about resilience. As one reviewer concluded, A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible is an “emotional read” but ultimately “a story of loss, hope and reunion.” Christy Lefteri’s latest novel Songbirds explores similar themes of displacement, division, and ultimately the endurance of the human spirit.
A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible brings a forgotten conflict to life through richly-drawn characters who resonate with audiences worldwide. Christy Lefteri crafts an intimate, lyrical page-turner that sheds light on the very human toll of war. Her storytelling conveys that even in the bleakest circumstances, humanity’s compassion and our shared longing for love and connection can prevail.
This poignant novel translates a historically-grounded story into a universal message of hope and redemption. For readers overwhelmed by current polarization, Lefteri provides catharsis along with nuanced perspectives into the complexities of conflict. A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible reminds us that beneath our differences, we all seek peace, family, and a place to call home.
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It’s 1984, and life has changed beyond recognition. Big Brother is always watching from Airstrip One, which used to be called Great Britain. No one can hide there. Except, perhaps, for Winston Smith. Whilst working at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history, he secretly dreams of freedom. There is no love or sex in this world, and it’s hard to tell who is friend and who is foe. He meets Julia and O’Brien and vows to rebel.
By: George Orwell, and others
Then: Linda has it all: a gorgeous home, a devoted husband, two loving daughters. But she throws it all away to chase an impossible dream. Now: Linda is alone and penniless, living in a shabby rented flat. With nothing to lose, she signs up to a dating app for the over 50s. But the only person who responds to her profile is not who he says he is. His name is Tony Fortin. Linda recognises him immediately. He’s Marcus, her second husband. But that’s impossible. Marcus died eight months ago. He drowned off the coast of Corfu.
Sun-Tzu, a famous Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher, wrote The Art of War. It has 13 chapters, and each one is about a different part of war. Even though it was written for the battlefield, The Art of War has come back to life in modern times. Leaders in world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy have found useful ideas in its old words.
But Jason Asano is settling into his new life. Now, a contest draws young elites to the city of Greenstone to compete for a grand prize. Gather a group of friends, Jason. He needs them to help him beat the best people in the world. While the young adventurers are running races, the leaders of the city have to deal with betrayals and the discovery of a huge and dangerous enemy. Although Jason seems uninvolved, he has unknowingly crossed the enemy’s path before.
By: Shirtaloon, and others
Most people who read the King James Bible prefer this newer edition, which came out in 1769, to the older 1611 version. People really want this 1769 edition because it’s easier to read and listen to than the 1611 edition because many mistakes were fixed. Have a great time with your new audio Bible! We hope it is a blessing to you for many years to come.
People today haven’t had a chance to really understand the unknowing fear that people would have felt when reading Bram Stoker’s original manuscript from 1897. Most modern shows try to bring back that gothic tension by being silly or using sound effects, but we’ve tried something different. By using Stokers’ original way of telling a story—a collection of letters and journal entries read by Jonathan Harker—Dr. Van Helsing and other characters—with an all-star cast of narrators, we’ve tried to bring back the horror and power that were meant to be there in the first place.
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“A watermelon, a fish and a Bible” writer, Christy Lefteris
What is a watermelon a fish and a Bible about?
And for a man far from the action, it brings memories of the past flooding into his mind – a woman, a child and a secret never told. A Watermelon, A Fish and a Bible is a breathtaking novel about love, loss, identity and what family really means. Christy Lefteri was born in London in 1980 to Greek Cypriot parents who moved to London in 1974.
What does the Bible say about watermelon?
For example, Numbers 11:5 from the Bible references watermelon as one of the foods the Israelites longed for after leaving Egypt. Additionally, ancient manuscripts of Jewish Law record watermelon as one of the items to be tithed and set aside for distribution to priests and the poor.
Is the watermelon a good book?
It was easy to become involved with the characters and care what happened to them. I would happily read another book by this author and highly recommend The Watermelon, The Fish and the Bible. No matter the subject, one has to be able to write. This book is full of overblown prose, bogged down by symbolism and far to many similes.