The Read

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