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A review by 2treads
Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Mohammed has definitely captured the essence of what life can mean for many people who reside in islands that most use to 'getaway', to 'kick back', 'relax', and 'live'. Pleasantview gives snippets of the realness of island life, what is faced and experienced and does so with a sharpness, clarity, deftness that underscores but never edifies the violence and poverty that is exists.
The characters are written so well, their circumstances, decisions, and motivations relayed with such intent, and makes these stories hard to look away from.
Mohammed underscores her stories with issues of identity crisis, greed, corruption, violence, sexuality, denial, secrets, illicit acts and relationships; widening a window into the complexities that people are, that their situations are and what that all looks like when the chickens come home to roost.
This collection was a breeze to read with characters that propelled each story, behaviours and tricks that both thrilled and dismayed, while centering vulnerabilities and hopes.
The characters are written so well, their circumstances, decisions, and motivations relayed with such intent, and makes these stories hard to look away from.
Mohammed underscores her stories with issues of identity crisis, greed, corruption, violence, sexuality, denial, secrets, illicit acts and relationships; widening a window into the complexities that people are, that their situations are and what that all looks like when the chickens come home to roost.
This collection was a breeze to read with characters that propelled each story, behaviours and tricks that both thrilled and dismayed, while centering vulnerabilities and hopes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Miscarriage, and Homophobia