Review by Nkoo -- Divided World by Kenneth Pickering

[Nkoo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Divided World" by Kenneth Pickering.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Divided World: Plays of Occupation and Dispossession is a collection of thought-provoking short plays and dramas by Hannah Khalil, Kate Al Hadid, Hassan Abdulrazzak, and edited by Kenneth Pickering. Each play has an independent theme and a message about the aftermath of the occupation of the Middle East by foreign nations. The book comprises eight plays, and it opens with Pickering’s introduction.

The opening play shows the partition of the region based on prospects of wealth and interest, with little to no regard for the people living in the area. The other plays highlight the resentful relationship between Israel and Palestine, the exploitation endured by the desperate, and how British museums benefit from the artifacts and the history of the Arabian. It also portrays the restriction on freedom of expression by governments pretending to be democratic. A Syrian woman recounted her dangerous journey from a restful citizen to a suffering refugee.

This book is well-structured, and the language used by the playwrights is straightforward because anyone can read and understand it. While the characters in the plays are adequately introduced, their unique traits are also highlighted. The playwrights did an outstanding job of injecting humor into the plays; hence, allowing for a relaxing experience, despite the sensitive nature of the central theme. Readers familiar with the conflicts and the other issues in the Middle East will find this book relatable.

The diversity of each play makes for the book’s ingenuity. The plot and the design of each play are unique. For me, the play called “Jump” by Kate Al Hadid stands out. It recounts the story of Yousef as he plans to compete in the Parkour Championship in Greece. However, he cannot leave Gaza without the permission of the authorities. Yousef’s struggles are clear as the play progressed. This narrative also unmistakably captures the descriptions of buildings that have been blown-up.

I liked how vividly captured the descriptions of the scenes are. Readers will have no problem with the understanding of the time, place, and the conditions depicted by the plays. I also liked how well the plays stirred the desired emotion in the reader. Readers will feel empathy for the citizens who are now immigrants, those struggling to keep their identity, and those trying to survive the war. I like the creativity injected into the stories. Politically instigated turmoil and the suspenseful experiences of individuals are also portrayed in the book. I liked how each playwright’s profile preceded the plays.

I enjoyed reading Divided World: Plays of Occupation and Dispossession. There was nothing I disliked about it. It appeared to be professionally edited because I found no errors in it. However, it contains a few instances of profanity. It is devoid of sexual content. For the above reasons, I rate this book four out of four stars. I did not give it a lower rating because it is informative. I recommend it to adult readers, particularly those who are interested in knowing more about the events and the other conflicts in the Middle East. Historians will benefit from reading this book.

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Divided World
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[Sou Hi]

Nice review, Nkoo. When the Middle East comes to mind, a lot of people would think of war and terrorism. This book seems to show us another Middle East, where lives blossom with hope.