Cry the Beloved Country.: Amazon.ca: Alan. Paton: Books

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First Sentence
IT IS SOME eleven years since the first Author's Note was written. Read the first page

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Concordance

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

149 Reviews

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(10)
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Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (149 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A heartbreaking story of redemption and forgiveness, July 29 2003

By

Peggy Vincent "author and reader" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cry the Beloved Country. (Paperback)

Tragic story set in South Africa during a now-ended era. Cry the Beloved Country is worth a careful read for its many-layered messages of loss and faith, of murder and penitence, of guilt and redemption - and through it all is Rev. Kumalo's love for his people (and not just his, but for the inherent goodness in ALL people), his family, his church - and most of all, his country.
It's a classic that has already withstood the test of time - and will doubtless continue to do so.
Don't miss it, and share it with someone else.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, Jun 13 2002

By

Roger Keane (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry the Beloved Country. (Paperback)

This book is one of the most incredible I have ever read. Many people rave about its depiction of apartheid and racism in South Africa, but it's so much more than that. This novel is a beautifully told story of one man's struggle against fate and a system set against him, of human compassion, and of renewal on a multitude of levels- the renewal of the physical earth, the lives of the people of Ndotsheni, and Kumalo's soul. The frailty and confusion felt by Kumalo, the anger at society of the young white social worker, the fear of young Kumalo, and the passion of Msimangu are all set beautifully against a vivid depiction of a racially divided South Africa in which the Africans themselves have no hope. Paton's style is perfect. His characters on occasion are a bit simple, but they are so vividly described that it seems that if there is a problem, it lies with you the reader! The settings are beautiful, and Paton's love of South Africa and thirst for equality run throughout the novel. Everyone should read this book.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With all the touching of Humanity, Dec 3 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cry the Beloved Country. (Paperback)

My own grandfather was very close to Alan Paton. They worked together, in South Africa, on the developments of a Liberal Party, the purpose of which was to help the blacks. They wanted, primarily, to create legally equality of the races. Eventually, Paton would come to North America, touring and lecturing. My grandparents showed him Toronto. And so, I myself have a special bias in favour of Paton.

Having read his CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY, I can only applaud the man. His very style is mimical of Steibeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH. There is repitition (individual sentences are said over and over), poetry, and the asking of philosophical questions.

The story is of Stephen Kumalo, a black priest. He has lost his family. His brother, sister, and son have left the village. They have gone to Johannesburg, where the white men are. Where industry is. And so the journey begins. In fact, Kumalo will see things he has never seen before. He will be robbed, he will be lied to, he will be tired of walking so many miles, he will see prostitution, crime, hatred. The simplicity of his beautiful village is not found here in Johannesburg. Incidentally, he finds some white men who show compassion to him. I will say no more.

The story has depth of passion, brilliance, and love of South Africa. Paton, himself a white man, devoted his life to the helping of blacks. He was a hero to South Africa, and remains a hero even to me.

Please read this book.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I be-Loved This Book
There are so few books out there that manage to blow you away with the story, yet maintain a high standard of writing, combining great storytelling with actual "literature. Read more

Published on Mar 22 2007 by Faulkner Man

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading
Alan Paton writes eloquently about personal struggles, triumphs, and losses. Almost biblical, the lyrical dialogues and descriptions draw you into the reality that is South Africa... Read more