The Read is our latest feature on Da
Stitch, through the contribution of a literature follower, debater, philosopher
and Rhodes University BSocSci, LLB graduate Mduduzi Makhubu
who will pick two fabulous books to review. The Read will appear every last
Thursday of the Month.
Book
Title: The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
Author:
Stephen King
“The man in black fled across the
desert, and the gunslinger followed.” This is the beginning of King’s epic and magnum opusand the strange plot of the
entire novel. King’s hero, known only as “the gunslinger” is an emotionless and
solitary figure chasing the mysterious man in black through a seemingly endless
desert.
The story is told in a series of
flashbacks and contemplations as the gunslinger makes his way through a
desolate world much like our own. We do not know why he follows this man only
that there is knowledge he seeks and the gunslinger seems to leave only death
behind him though he is capable of love as is witnessed through the boy he
meets on his quest- Jake. Dark and cynical, it is a gripping read which leaves
one frustrated and excited to discover the nature of the gunslinger’s quest and
his goal.
Book
Title: The Kite Runner
Author:
KhaledHusseini
A tale set in ‘70s Afghanistan, of two
boys and best friends: Amir and Hassan, growing up side by side with the gulf
of religion and class between them, Amir betrays his friend at the age of
twelve and the shame and guilt at this betrayal paints the book’s portrait of
pain and sadness as Amir, twenty years later, returns to the homeland from
which he fled to seek his redemption and make peace with his friend.
A novel, powerful in its ability to take
you to the depths of Amir’s horror and agony at what he has done and agonizing
in its mapping of the fall of Afghanistan and the depth of the scars left on
Hassan, ever loyal whose first word was the name of his boy-master and best
friend. A heart-wrenching read about humanity and redemption and the extent of our
brutality and our capacity to love.
Mduduzi Makhubu
