Review by Tavaiel26 -- Divided World by Kenneth Pickering
Posted: 24 Mar 2020, 12:21
[Following is a volunteer review of "Divided World" by Kenneth Pickering.]
Divided World; Plays of occupation and dispossession by Kenneth Pickering is compromised of several modern plays related to the themes of conflict in the Middle East and refugees. It starts with a historical introduction by Kenneth Pickering setting the scene and explaining the broader sides of the conflict. The first play by him is a theatricalization of the Sykes-Picot agreement that split the territories of the Middle East between France and Britain
Later we move on to plays by other authors; Hannah Khalil’s first story is about refugees and how they are perceived, and conveniently ignored, by the community. Her second play speaks of belonging, of being unable to go back home, and the importance of legacies and heritage. Kate Al Hadid’s playwright follows Yousef and his family and friends, as he dreams of escaping war-torn Gaza and enjoying the freedom to practice parkour somewhere else.
Hassam Abdulrazzak tells us the story of everyone that had to leave home, because home wasn't safe anymore, how they were treated and how some of them never found a home again.
"Eventually it became clear that we had to flee the country. There was no other choice" an excerpt in the play The Ship No One Wanted is in my opinion one of the strongest quotes in this book. We are confronted with the harsh reality of a situation most of us have never lived and with the terrible possibility of having to one day forsake our homes.
This book was wonderful and gut-wrenching. This subject is very current as the modern world is bound to witness a rapid increase in the number of climate refugees in the next years. Hopefully books like this one can encourage us to see our fellow humans better, as they are, and not as fear portrays them. I genuinely loved most of the plays in this book, they were well written and well-paced. These incredible stories encompassed a number of perspectives about the issues faced by the Middle East as a consequence of intervention by foreign powers.
Unfortunately, I felt the last play didn't fit with the overall tone of the book and just sort of added shook value, but nothing else really. It made an incredible book end on a low note.
Taking everything into consideration, I genuinely believe this is an excellent book and I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. Sadly, the last play makes it unsuitable for young readers, but I would enthusiastically recommend the book to everyone else because of its extremely relevant theme. Anyone with an interest in the Middle East, immigration and the situation of refugees around the world will genuinely appreciate this book.
******
Divided World
View: on Bookshelves
Divided World; Plays of occupation and dispossession by Kenneth Pickering is compromised of several modern plays related to the themes of conflict in the Middle East and refugees. It starts with a historical introduction by Kenneth Pickering setting the scene and explaining the broader sides of the conflict. The first play by him is a theatricalization of the Sykes-Picot agreement that split the territories of the Middle East between France and Britain
Later we move on to plays by other authors; Hannah Khalil’s first story is about refugees and how they are perceived, and conveniently ignored, by the community. Her second play speaks of belonging, of being unable to go back home, and the importance of legacies and heritage. Kate Al Hadid’s playwright follows Yousef and his family and friends, as he dreams of escaping war-torn Gaza and enjoying the freedom to practice parkour somewhere else.
Hassam Abdulrazzak tells us the story of everyone that had to leave home, because home wasn't safe anymore, how they were treated and how some of them never found a home again.
"Eventually it became clear that we had to flee the country. There was no other choice" an excerpt in the play The Ship No One Wanted is in my opinion one of the strongest quotes in this book. We are confronted with the harsh reality of a situation most of us have never lived and with the terrible possibility of having to one day forsake our homes.
This book was wonderful and gut-wrenching. This subject is very current as the modern world is bound to witness a rapid increase in the number of climate refugees in the next years. Hopefully books like this one can encourage us to see our fellow humans better, as they are, and not as fear portrays them. I genuinely loved most of the plays in this book, they were well written and well-paced. These incredible stories encompassed a number of perspectives about the issues faced by the Middle East as a consequence of intervention by foreign powers.
Unfortunately, I felt the last play didn't fit with the overall tone of the book and just sort of added shook value, but nothing else really. It made an incredible book end on a low note.
Taking everything into consideration, I genuinely believe this is an excellent book and I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. Sadly, the last play makes it unsuitable for young readers, but I would enthusiastically recommend the book to everyone else because of its extremely relevant theme. Anyone with an interest in the Middle East, immigration and the situation of refugees around the world will genuinely appreciate this book.
******
Divided World
View: on Bookshelves
