Those Who Would Be King

King Mabanda rules the poverty-stricken Central African country of Maleziland with total control founded on extreme brutality. Wallowing in obscene amounts of pilfered wealth, Mabanda raises his son, Mandebala, to also be a depraved despot. Except Mandebala isn’t his biological son. Mateyo, a good-natured, compassionate but naïve boy from the shanty town is. Brent J. Ludwig’S THOSE WOULD BE KING is an engrossing, highly readable novel written in straightforward yet elegant prose. Political doctrine, the corruption of absolute power, and authoritarianism are a few of the themes explored through a fascinating and unusual narrative that has the darkly enchanting and allegorical quality of a twisted fairytale.