Review by Wy_Bertram -- Divided World by Kenneth Pickering
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Wy_Bertram
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Review by Wy_Bertram -- Divided World by Kenneth Pickering
[Following is a volunteer review of "Divided World" by Kenneth Pickering.]
Divided World is a collection of plays written by Hannah Khalil, Kate Al Hadid and Hassan Abdulrazzak, and introduced by Kenneth Pickering. Although varying in nature, the plays are set in and around Israel and Palestine and speak to the hardships in the region with gripping poignancy.
These critically acclaimed works range in style and delivery, but each one leaves a mark with a unique, emotional vantage into a seemingly endless crisis.
Kate Al Hadid’s Jump, the longest play in the collection, follows Yusuf, a young Palestinian man who acts out the futility of human desire. Yusuf seeks to escape war-torn Gaza via a parkour championship, and though all odds seem stacked against him, he remains relentless in his search for freedom. He finds only disappointment in the end, ultimately losing himself to his desperation, and realising only too late the consequences of wanting a better life.
The Several Beheadings of Ashraf Fayadh by Hassan Abdulrazzak was perhaps my favourite of the anthology. Based on real events, this piercing, allegorical piece tells the story of a poet, Ashraf Fayadh, who suffers persecution on claims of corrupting the youth. The scene recurs four times, each iteration notably different from the last, but they all ultimately conclude with the condemnation of the poet.
I was amazed by how much imagery the authors were able to infuse in dialogue alone. One perception of plays is that they appear static in comparison to narrative fiction, but that was not the case with this book. Each scene moved with life, and the characters’ humanity seeped through the pages. The writing was almost impeccable, and I enjoyed every word of this read.
It’s no surprise that I rate this book 4 out of 4. I didn’t find enough typos to warrant a deduction, but I suggest a final round of editing for this one. Otherwise, Divided World is an impactful collection, perfect for the reader who enjoys short, powerful writing.
It would also appeal to anyone invested in the crisis in the Middle East.
Be warned, however, this does contain generous use of profanity. Most of it is in context, but sensitive readers should take note all the same. There are no explicit scenes but implied sexual scenarios are present, particularly in the final play, American Nightmare. Thankfully, this is placed at the end of the book, therefore it is easy to avoid if you aren’t interested.
Happy reading.
******
Divided World
View: on Bookshelves
Divided World is a collection of plays written by Hannah Khalil, Kate Al Hadid and Hassan Abdulrazzak, and introduced by Kenneth Pickering. Although varying in nature, the plays are set in and around Israel and Palestine and speak to the hardships in the region with gripping poignancy.
These critically acclaimed works range in style and delivery, but each one leaves a mark with a unique, emotional vantage into a seemingly endless crisis.
Kate Al Hadid’s Jump, the longest play in the collection, follows Yusuf, a young Palestinian man who acts out the futility of human desire. Yusuf seeks to escape war-torn Gaza via a parkour championship, and though all odds seem stacked against him, he remains relentless in his search for freedom. He finds only disappointment in the end, ultimately losing himself to his desperation, and realising only too late the consequences of wanting a better life.
The Several Beheadings of Ashraf Fayadh by Hassan Abdulrazzak was perhaps my favourite of the anthology. Based on real events, this piercing, allegorical piece tells the story of a poet, Ashraf Fayadh, who suffers persecution on claims of corrupting the youth. The scene recurs four times, each iteration notably different from the last, but they all ultimately conclude with the condemnation of the poet.
I was amazed by how much imagery the authors were able to infuse in dialogue alone. One perception of plays is that they appear static in comparison to narrative fiction, but that was not the case with this book. Each scene moved with life, and the characters’ humanity seeped through the pages. The writing was almost impeccable, and I enjoyed every word of this read.
It’s no surprise that I rate this book 4 out of 4. I didn’t find enough typos to warrant a deduction, but I suggest a final round of editing for this one. Otherwise, Divided World is an impactful collection, perfect for the reader who enjoys short, powerful writing.
It would also appeal to anyone invested in the crisis in the Middle East.
Be warned, however, this does contain generous use of profanity. Most of it is in context, but sensitive readers should take note all the same. There are no explicit scenes but implied sexual scenarios are present, particularly in the final play, American Nightmare. Thankfully, this is placed at the end of the book, therefore it is easy to avoid if you aren’t interested.
Happy reading.
******
Divided World
View: on Bookshelves
Latest Review: WatchDogs Abnormal Beginnings by Mike L Junior
