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The Last Stop
“Notice: Close the door nicely when you enter or leave this taxi. Don’t slam the door. Don’t be angry at the door. Please, dear passenger.”
In a world where violent rivalry, and reckless and inconsiderate driving have earned the taxi industry a bad rep, many drivers have had encounters with careless taxi drivers but how many have actually stopped to consider what it would be like to walk a mile in their shoes. The Last Stop is a compelling novel that gets right inside the skin of a taxi-driver and his life.
Macko is a man adrift, a taxi-driver with a corrupt boss and a loving but unreliable girlfriend. He does the long-haul run between Qwaqwa and Johannesburg, but these days there are voices in his head and visions on the road. An outbreak of taxi violence sets off a chain of events that threaten to overwhelm Macko, who, after decades in South Africa, is still seen as a ‘foreigner’ and at risk of xenophobia.
Crime fiction featuring paranormal elements, The Last Stop combines gritty realism with the magical. It shows what happens between people in times of taxi violence and deals with themes of lust, betrayal and revenge.
In a world where violent rivalry, and reckless and inconsiderate driving have earned the taxi industry a bad rep, many drivers have had encounters with careless taxi drivers but how many have actually stopped to consider what it would be like to walk a mile in their shoes. The Last Stop is a compelling novel that gets right inside the skin of a taxi-driver and his life.
Macko is a man adrift, a taxi-driver with a corrupt boss and a loving but unreliable girlfriend. He does the long-haul run between Qwaqwa and Johannesburg, but these days there are voices in his head and visions on the road. An outbreak of taxi violence sets off a chain of events that threaten to overwhelm Macko, who, after decades in South Africa, is still seen as a ‘foreigner’ and at risk of xenophobia.
Crime fiction featuring paranormal elements, The Last Stop combines gritty realism with the magical. It shows what happens between people in times of taxi violence and deals with themes of lust, betrayal and revenge.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 31, 2018
On having completed reading The Last Stop, my take is that it appears to be based on, or inspired by the 2013 horrific demise of the Mozambican taxi driver, Mido Macia who was dragged with a police vehicle.
Mofokeng is refreshingly creative in his writing. He lets the reader in on the psyche of taxi drivers. He gives them a face and a voice through his protagonist Macko.
The inclusion of the paranormal made the novel more spicy and intriguing.
I loved the sexual being that was Rose. It was liberating how her insatiable sexual appetite was not perceived differently or negatively by virtue of her being a woman.
The least said about scoundrels and perpetrators of taxi violence like Tabola the better.
The editing of the book was left wanting, it could have been tighter.
A story of love, friendship, deception, displacement, xenophobia and survival.
Compelling and fast paced. A great read.
Mofokeng is refreshingly creative in his writing. He lets the reader in on the psyche of taxi drivers. He gives them a face and a voice through his protagonist Macko.
The inclusion of the paranormal made the novel more spicy and intriguing.
I loved the sexual being that was Rose. It was liberating how her insatiable sexual appetite was not perceived differently or negatively by virtue of her being a woman.
The least said about scoundrels and perpetrators of taxi violence like Tabola the better.
The editing of the book was left wanting, it could have been tighter.
A story of love, friendship, deception, displacement, xenophobia and survival.
Compelling and fast paced. A great read.
October 20, 2017
Macko, a Mozambican man who fled to South Africa due to war in Mozambique is now settled in Qwa-Qwa. Living with his South African girlfriend Rose and their dog, which Rose doesn't really favour. A lot of things seem to worry Macko, he is haunted by unresolved family matters, which he chose to ignore.
He loves his girlfriend, but seemingly not enough to marry her. Rose, also loves him, though money, for her, is a problem because her boyfriend doesn't make much of it and she just wants the "finer" things in life. Later on, Rose does the unthinkable- I didn't see this coming.
Macko works as a taxi driver and has the most ruthless boss, Tabula, I actually disliked him a lot.
The story is set mostly around the taxi industry, the good and the bad side of it. I think Thabiso did an excellent job portraying this. I was impressed.
Thabiso was raw and very detailed in his descriptions. I don't think he held back. He touches on one of my favourite subjects Xenophobia. Shocking how people carry such heavy hate in their hearts. Other subjects include power, Afrophobia, relationships, crime.
Macko's last stop is traumatic. I was reminded of the horrific incident of the late Macia http://www.dw.com/en/south-african-po...
What I didn't like about the book is how compressed it was. Stories were cut short, in quite an abrupt manner. I somehow felt that he maybe did this to accommodate non-readers. It's a very short book, 159 pages. I also didn't like how he translated the Sotho words used, to English. I like it when the authors keep their language as is, it's exciting.
He loves his girlfriend, but seemingly not enough to marry her. Rose, also loves him, though money, for her, is a problem because her boyfriend doesn't make much of it and she just wants the "finer" things in life. Later on, Rose does the unthinkable- I didn't see this coming.
Macko works as a taxi driver and has the most ruthless boss, Tabula, I actually disliked him a lot.
The story is set mostly around the taxi industry, the good and the bad side of it. I think Thabiso did an excellent job portraying this. I was impressed.
Thabiso was raw and very detailed in his descriptions. I don't think he held back. He touches on one of my favourite subjects Xenophobia. Shocking how people carry such heavy hate in their hearts. Other subjects include power, Afrophobia, relationships, crime.
Macko's last stop is traumatic. I was reminded of the horrific incident of the late Macia http://www.dw.com/en/south-african-po...
What I didn't like about the book is how compressed it was. Stories were cut short, in quite an abrupt manner. I somehow felt that he maybe did this to accommodate non-readers. It's a very short book, 159 pages. I also didn't like how he translated the Sotho words used, to English. I like it when the authors keep their language as is, it's exciting.
August 29, 2018
Interesting story.
March 17, 2019
This novel is centered primarily around the life of a taxi driver. It touches on issues of Xenophobia, violence, and trauma. It also looks at relationships and how money can be a hindrance to ‘happiness’. It also looks at how money can be used as a tool to get rid of problems. An easy read. A light yet intense read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews