I didn't know what to expect, having heard so little about this book prior to reading it. Cry, The Beloved Country surpassed my best hopes.
The lyrical writing style was soulful and emotional, yet still allowing plot and setting to be easily discerned.
The events of this story were clearly important to the time and place it was set, but of historical importance as well. The relationships of the characters is what turned this novel from one of importance to one of great beauty. I wish I had the words to describe the book well enough to get you to read it. I hope you do.
The lyrical writing style was soulful and emotional, yet still allowing plot and setting to be easily discerned.
The events of this story were clearly important to the time and place it was set, but of historical importance as well. The relationships of the characters is what turned this novel from one of importance to one of great beauty. I wish I had the words to describe the book well enough to get you to read it. I hope you do.
Helpful Score: 4
Simply an amazing novel. Paton gives great insight into life in South Africa. A must read.
Helpful Score: 4
A wonderful story of apartheid in South Africa through the eyes of a white man and an old black pastor. It helps us understand what happened there. Excellent!!
Helpful Score: 2
Reminded me a lot of The Grapes of Wrath in writing style, of course the notes at the beginning admit that Paton was influenced by Steinbeck's work and I had just read it.
Helpful Score: 2
OPRAH BOOK CLUB SELECTION - Story of a black man's country under white man's law. The deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people driven by racial injustice. WONDERFUL READ
Helpful Score: 2
It does not take a lot of words to review this read--Fantastic!!! Everyone should read it just once in their life time.
Helpful Score: 1
A beautiful novel of South Africa.
Helpful Score: 1
This simple, beautiful book is about a Zulu pastor named Stephen Kumalo who travels from his poor countryside home in Ndotsheni to the dangerous and crowded streets of Johannesburg in search of his son Absolom, and sister Gertrude. He finds them, but too late to save them.
The story is divided into 3 parts: the first is about Kumalo and his journey and isolation (from his beloved home and family as he ventures away; from his brother who is power-drunk, politically motivated, and manipulative; and from his god when he's faced with the dire consequences of his son's actions). The second part is about Jarvis, a white land owner coincidentally of Ndotsheni, whose only child, Arthur Jarvis is murdered in Johannesburg. In the third and final part there is poetic restoration of all kinds of conflict (inner conflict on the part of both Kumalo and Jarvis, and even racial conflict on a grand scale).
Normally I'm not a fan of books about Africa and Catholicism, but I just happened to read this immediately after finishing another Africa book (Mating by Norman Rush) which was so aggressive and overbearing about cramming information down the reader's throat that I didn't get anything out of it. Whereas with CtBC I learned so much about beautiful African customs, pleasantries and tact; through effective repetition of phrases like "beloved country," "for such a thing is not lightly done," and "broken tribes" Paton shows readers the feel, experience and both the good and bad of Africa from various white and black perspectives.
The story is divided into 3 parts: the first is about Kumalo and his journey and isolation (from his beloved home and family as he ventures away; from his brother who is power-drunk, politically motivated, and manipulative; and from his god when he's faced with the dire consequences of his son's actions). The second part is about Jarvis, a white land owner coincidentally of Ndotsheni, whose only child, Arthur Jarvis is murdered in Johannesburg. In the third and final part there is poetic restoration of all kinds of conflict (inner conflict on the part of both Kumalo and Jarvis, and even racial conflict on a grand scale).
Normally I'm not a fan of books about Africa and Catholicism, but I just happened to read this immediately after finishing another Africa book (Mating by Norman Rush) which was so aggressive and overbearing about cramming information down the reader's throat that I didn't get anything out of it. Whereas with CtBC I learned so much about beautiful African customs, pleasantries and tact; through effective repetition of phrases like "beloved country," "for such a thing is not lightly done," and "broken tribes" Paton shows readers the feel, experience and both the good and bad of Africa from various white and black perspectives.
Helpful Score: 1
Beautifully written and a very touching story--a definite must-read!
Helpful Score: 1
Beautifully prose and an eye opening depiction of the early history of apartheid in South Africa.
Helpful Score: 1
Written in 1946 about South Africa. A classic.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic book on the subject of race relations in South Africa.
Helpful Score: 1
I love this book, and this author. It is captivating, how he writes. You will be taken into a world of writing you have never known!
Helpful Score: 1
Very good poetic writting. It's hard to believe it was written so long ago, it was so timely. I really enjoyed this one.
a story of hope and courage greatly written
Painful to read- a real classic
I loved it. Fascinating and moving
Very interesting and moving!!
I was drawn into the lives of the characters in the book. It provided a mild knowledge of social and political feelings.
Interesting read
You may struggle a bit with some of the unfamiliar words, but this story is completely worth it. You will grieve right along with the characters feeling their pain and appreciating their faith. It helps to quickly study the glossary at the end of the book before reading.
Heartbreaking story of death, faith, and redemption in South Africa during Apartheid.
Two men of God whose sons are involved on opposite sides of a murder have to deal with race, spirituality, and themselves as they come to terms with their losses.
Beautifully written. Almost poetry. A bittersweet look at what it means to be a parent of adult children who make choices you don't agree with. A classic.
Two men of God whose sons are involved on opposite sides of a murder have to deal with race, spirituality, and themselves as they come to terms with their losses.
Beautifully written. Almost poetry. A bittersweet look at what it means to be a parent of adult children who make choices you don't agree with. A classic.
I really had a hard time reading this book. It is my friends favorite and I just couldn't get into to it.
Beautifully written and exceptional story - a must read.
Moving story about a father's quest to locate his son who left home for the big city.
It was a difficult read emotionally, but provided an excellent picture of what apartheid was really like in South Africa.Some of it I knew, some I suspected, but it really hit home in these times of great division, and as we are brought to realize how races have been exploited and suppressed.I had to read it a little at a time to have time to digest it.
wonderful book!
Very interesting book. It gives a unique perspective into racial relations of segregated South Africa. The story of the struggles of the father on behalf of his son gives insight into the political, economic, and social consequences faced by both whites and blacks as a result of these divisions. If you like a sad story, this is a gut wrencher.
Even if you know nothing about African history and apartheid, this book is extremely thought-provoking. The story is heart-breaking, but the beauty of simple human kindness between characters leaves the reader feeling hopeful.
one of the best books i have ever read
A moving book about the struggles of racial injustice.
This book can be intimidating from the onset due to the authentic dilaect used. As in many of Mark Twain's writings, once the reader familiarizes herself/himself with it, you won't put it down.
An immediate worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1948, Alan Paton's impassioned novel about a black man's country under white man's law is a work of searing beauty. "Cry, the Beloved Country" is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its lyricism, unforgettable for character and incident, "Cry, the Beloved Country" is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man.
I truly enjoyed this story, I've read it twice now...I would highly recommend it.
1948 novel of a black father and son and their interactions with a neighboring white family. This particular copy is a trade sized paperback.
Very good book. One of my favorite classics.
This is an incredible story; very moving and emotionally powerful. Its' universal themes are possibly more meaningful now even then in the time it was written. A must read for every human on the planet!
Awesome book!
I have three copies of this book. Let me know if you are interested in more than one copy. I didn't read the book but my children had to read it for school.
Wonderful book!
This book was a very moving novel set in South Africa. It is beautifully written with unforgettable prose. Paton is able to mix the majestic beauty of South Africa and the transformation of cultural life which will leave a lasting impression on you for a long time. You will become involved with the story and will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend this book and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
From the back:
"An immediate worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1948, Alan Paton's impassioned novel about a black man's country under white man's law is a work of searing beauty. "Cry, the Beloved Country" is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its lyricism, unforgettable for character and incident, "Cry, the Beloved Country" is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man."
The New Republic: "The greatest novel to emerge out of the tragedy of South Africa, and one of the best novels of our time."
"An immediate worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1948, Alan Paton's impassioned novel about a black man's country under white man's law is a work of searing beauty. "Cry, the Beloved Country" is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its lyricism, unforgettable for character and incident, "Cry, the Beloved Country" is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man."
The New Republic: "The greatest novel to emerge out of the tragedy of South Africa, and one of the best novels of our time."
A classic story about a man, his country, and his people. South Africa is painted with a master's hand. It will break your heart but make you glad you read it.
As timely in 2005 as it was when it was published in 1948. One of the best books I've read.
We read this book in a book club that I go to and I found it fascinating. Well written and yet disturbing because of the subject matter of life in South Africa
very special book about Zulu pastor and his son in their beloved South Africa
Powerful book about love and redemption.
"Cry, the Beloved Country is a beautifully told and profoundly compassionate story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set in the troubled and changing South Africa of the 1940s. The book is written with such keen empathy and understanding that to read it is to share fully in the gravity of the characters' situations. It both touches your heart deeply and inspires a renewed faith in the dignity of mankind. Cry, the Beloved Country is a classic tale, passionately African, timeless and universal, and beyond all, selfless. "
"Cry, the Beloved Country is a beautifully told and profoundly compassionate story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set in the troubled and changing South Africa of the 1940s. The book is written with such keen empathy and understanding that to read it is to share fully in the gravity of the characters' situations. It both touches your heart deeply and inspires a renewed faith in the dignity of mankind. Cry, the Beloved Country is a classic tale, passionately African, timeless and universal, and beyond all, selfless. "
Hardback, original edition.
