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The Sacred Passage
President Runo is a man who knows no boundaries, defying rules and exploiting legal loopholes to maintain his iron grip on power. With the help of cunning legal masterminds, he employs an improvisational rationality, making up the rules as he goes along.
Friendships crumble as Runo sows seeds of discord, creating factions that tear each other apart while he remains untouchable. Those who dare challenge his authority are dealt with ruthlessly – used and discarded when their political utility expires. For those who still pose a threat, he employs the insidious honey trap to silence them forever.
In The Sacred Passage, Mwana waMusikavanhu unravels the intricate web of Runo’s sadistic reign, leaving readers in awe of the depths of his depravity. With every turn of the page, you’ll be drawn into a world of ruthless politics and relentless ambition, where no elimination trick is too foul in the pursuit of power.
"Political hope quickly turns to horror when an unabashed despot is given unchecked power over his people. A political satire of the most brutal and bloody kind, Mwana waMusikavanhu’s The Sacred Passage takes the newfound independence of an African nation and the unchecked power of its new Prime Minister as the starting point for an exposé of the dangerous and dramatic way in which absolute power corrupts absolutely. A shocking indictment of political corruption, greed, and complicity, it reveals in sometimes painful detail the extent to which people will go to gain and retain authority and all its trappings.
As a whole, The Sacred Passage is a surprisingly fast-paced and impressively detailed work of political fiction with a hefty dose of reality thrown in. Through delving into the darkest recesses of political ambition and the seemingly unending capacity for complicity, Musikavanhu elucidates a tumultuous period of African history and reveals how easily such evil can take shape and how feasible it is that it might do so again."
As a whole, The Sacred Passage is a surprisingly fast-paced and impressively detailed work of political fiction with a hefty dose of reality thrown in. Through delving into the darkest recesses of political ambition and the seemingly unending capacity for complicity, Musikavanhu elucidates a tumultuous period of African history and reveals how easily such evil can take shape and how feasible it is that it might do so again."
"The Sacred Passage: Life And Times Of A Sadistic Gentleman depicts the politics and processes of the rule of President Runo, whose wide-ranging sadistic and egotistical nature translates to a presidency which not only ruins the nation, but challenges individuals, families, and social structures.
Sound familiar? The allegory comes to life in a novel which probes the dangerous intersection of politics and ambition, and the outcomes which can be expected when the two collide with presidential power and edicts that belay the foundations of freedom.
Mwana wa Musikavanhu creates a mythical man and a sense of place and purpose which holds the all too familiar feel of modern America, even though the characters and setting are not of this country:
The African nation confronts world leaders, bullies, terrorism, and the fruits of a leadership which intersects with other special interests worldwide to create a perfect storm of conflict between social, political, and judicial checks and balances. Readers gain vivid insights into the dangers and deceptions that sadistic leaders can inject into the ideal of world order and growth.
Of special note is the manner in which Musikavanhu mirrors current events, pinpointing not only sources of discord, but the ultimate goals and results of such a dangerous personality and game:
The result is a frightening, thought-provoking read not just for its allegorical power, but for its bigger-picture insights on how individual ego and objectives can dovetail with political processes in a deadly manner that affects not just one nation, but the entire world order.
Libraries and readers seeking a novel that is astute in its observations, eye-opening in its connections between political power and psychological makeup, and revealing in its progressive history will appreciate the force and thought-provoking moments in The Sacred Passage, which is filled with lively fodder suitable for book club discussion.
It is especially highly recommended for libraries collecting solid African literature and novels rich in social and political insights about a world in which myth, ambition, and madness coalesce."
Sound familiar? The allegory comes to life in a novel which probes the dangerous intersection of politics and ambition, and the outcomes which can be expected when the two collide with presidential power and edicts that belay the foundations of freedom.
Mwana wa Musikavanhu creates a mythical man and a sense of place and purpose which holds the all too familiar feel of modern America, even though the characters and setting are not of this country:
The African nation confronts world leaders, bullies, terrorism, and the fruits of a leadership which intersects with other special interests worldwide to create a perfect storm of conflict between social, political, and judicial checks and balances. Readers gain vivid insights into the dangers and deceptions that sadistic leaders can inject into the ideal of world order and growth.
Of special note is the manner in which Musikavanhu mirrors current events, pinpointing not only sources of discord, but the ultimate goals and results of such a dangerous personality and game:
The result is a frightening, thought-provoking read not just for its allegorical power, but for its bigger-picture insights on how individual ego and objectives can dovetail with political processes in a deadly manner that affects not just one nation, but the entire world order.
Libraries and readers seeking a novel that is astute in its observations, eye-opening in its connections between political power and psychological makeup, and revealing in its progressive history will appreciate the force and thought-provoking moments in The Sacred Passage, which is filled with lively fodder suitable for book club discussion.
It is especially highly recommended for libraries collecting solid African literature and novels rich in social and political insights about a world in which myth, ambition, and madness coalesce."
"Mwana waMusikavanhu’s The Sacred Passage delves into the complex interplay of political strategy and individual ambition. Centering on Runobvepi, a character who transforms from a rebel leader into a Prime Minister post-independence, the novel intricately portrays his endeavors to consolidate power in a newly liberated nation.
waMusikavanhu crafts a narrative rich in political intrigue, highlighting Runobvepi’s journey from gaining the highest office in his country to his relentless pursuit of power. Runobvepi’s tenure is characterized by political savvy and a ruthless streak, raising questions about the longevity and impact of such a domineering presence in politics. The novel excels in its deep and compelling exploration of character motivations, strategies, and actions within the complex post-independence political landscape.
waMusikavanhu’s adept storytelling brings to life the dark underbelly of politics, where power reigns supreme and extreme tactics are the norm. The characters, portrayed with nuance, demand the reader’s attention as they navigate a web of power and ambition. The narrative captivates with its tension-filled rallies and secretive meetings. While it sometimes delves deeply into character motives through extensive passages and features dialogues that lean towards a structured exchange, these elements contribute to the novel’s overall tapestry, enhancing its engaging and thrilling journey through the world of political machinations.
The Sacred Passage offers a penetrating look at the corrupting nature of power and the moral compromises inherent in the quest for political dominance. It stands as a compelling tale of intrigue, betrayal, and the eternal struggle for power, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of unbridled ambition in leadership."
waMusikavanhu crafts a narrative rich in political intrigue, highlighting Runobvepi’s journey from gaining the highest office in his country to his relentless pursuit of power. Runobvepi’s tenure is characterized by political savvy and a ruthless streak, raising questions about the longevity and impact of such a domineering presence in politics. The novel excels in its deep and compelling exploration of character motivations, strategies, and actions within the complex post-independence political landscape.
waMusikavanhu’s adept storytelling brings to life the dark underbelly of politics, where power reigns supreme and extreme tactics are the norm. The characters, portrayed with nuance, demand the reader’s attention as they navigate a web of power and ambition. The narrative captivates with its tension-filled rallies and secretive meetings. While it sometimes delves deeply into character motives through extensive passages and features dialogues that lean towards a structured exchange, these elements contribute to the novel’s overall tapestry, enhancing its engaging and thrilling journey through the world of political machinations.
The Sacred Passage offers a penetrating look at the corrupting nature of power and the moral compromises inherent in the quest for political dominance. It stands as a compelling tale of intrigue, betrayal, and the eternal struggle for power, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of unbridled ambition in leadership."
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