Cry Freedom: The Legendary True Story of Steve Biko and the Friendship That Defied Apartheid

by John Briley

Under South Africa's brutal apartheid regime, black activist Steve Biko has been working tirelessly for years to undermine the system when he meets white journalist Donald Woods. Initially suspicious of Biko and his motives, Woods finds himself united with Biko in common cause after Biko reveals to him the true extent of police atrocities in the black townships. And when tragedy strikes, the powerful bond that has been forged between them leads Woods to make a courageous stand on his friend's behalf, risking everything to expose the horrors of this murderous regime.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, History, South Africa, Historical, 20th Century, Read For School

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was able to picture the film while I read the book, fantastic

[Stuart Hickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Rated this book, although it does not delve deep enough into Bikos character it is still a terrific read

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wrenching portrait of life in South Africa under apartheid. This is based on the true story of black activist Steve Biko and his friendship with white newspaper editor Donald Woods. Biko opens Woods eyes to the reality of life in South Africa for black people. Biko is a true hero - despite the cruel way he is treated, he advocates for non-violence and a recognition of the equal value of both black and white people. It is a tragic irony that his position against violence, his deeply held faith, his articulate moderation, his intelligent likability are all met with police brutality. This is an important book, a book of the highly acclaimed film, and well-written. An enduring heart-wrenching classic.

[alaska · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro en sí es bastante lento y algunas veces aburrido. Habla básicamente sobre la lucha de la gente negra por la igualdad. Es bastante realista y voy a poner algunas frases de Cry Freedom que me gustaron o llamaron mi atención.

"No matter how stupid or how clever a white child is, he is born into his white world. But you, the black child, clever or stupid, are born into this... and, clever or stupid, you will die in it..."
Se refiere a que si naces blanco, en el mundo de los blancos, siempre vas a tener privilegios y las posibilidades de prosperar, mientras que si sos negro las chances que tenés disminuyen por el simple hecho de ser negros.

"In your world everything white is normal - the way they should be - and everything black is wrong or some kind of mistake. And your real achievement is that for years you've convinced most of us of that idea, too.
We believe in an intelligent God. We believe that He knew what He was doing when He created the black man. Just as He did when He created the white man."

[André · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago, but from what I recall is that there were some phases of quite along interesting and thoughtful and those are good. I liked those phases.
But then there are those insipid dull and almost stopping you from reading boring phases.
Overall it is a good book when it comes to the story telling and content material and it is well written.
Trying not to spoil anyone, the book tells us the story of the black community fighting for their rights and individuality in society while sharing all the strength and bravery of one individual life.
Recommend for those who like this kind of reading and want a more traditional style kind of book. Great for starters.

[Nicola Packham-Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear, fury, immense sadness accompanied by an overwhelming pride for the people who saw our Nation’s potential.

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the book Cry Freedom by John Briley. It\'s a true story, non-fictional, that talks about Steve Biko, a black activist in South Africa. Due to an incident he was involved in, Biko was banned to an area at King William\'s Town. Liberal journalist Donald Woods investigates Biko and as he finds out more about him, the two begin to form a friendship.
As Biko leaves his banning zone to speak at a gathering, he gets arrested and is physically abused by the interrogaters. Donald Woods, who stands up for Biko also gets harassed by security forces as he meets up with the South African Minister of Justice, Jimmy Kruger.

This story is, in my opinion, very good and it makes you think twice about society and our so called freedom. It made me realize that I shouldn\'t take things considered and be grateful for the things I -can- do today and have. The book does contain some difficult words however, but they aren\'t really something that should hold you back from trying to read such a good book like this one. I recommend this to every reader who likes non-fictional books or those who are into history-related things.

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when came out in 1987 but my copy was stolen when I was in hospital by another patient and told sister but she said it was his writ to read it even though had my name in it.
A sad book about death and destruction of life. A story about hate and 'white power' before Mandela was Biko in footsteps of Martin Luther King. Briley writs book that make you cry and 28 I found it very upsetting. Specially when lost it.

[Kirsten Degn · Rating 5 out of 5]

En af de bøger som må være et “bør læses” for at forstå hvad apartheid er - og hvad det gør ved mennesker - både sorte og hvide…
Men bogen viser også hvad menneskelighed og empati betyder i relationen mellem os.
En god bog med en god personbeskrivelse.

[Tom Buske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little talky at first, it settled into an adventure tale as Apartheid was beginning to fall apart in South Africa.

[helen :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

to think this was only in the 70s!! could have focused more on Steve Biko but other than that it was really really good and felt like a movie

[༺Lost Dreamer༻ · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Woods knew, and Biko had believed, that men's minds could be changed; but could they be changed before the price became too high? What a cost had already been paid!»

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Briley’s novel was adapted from his own screenplay for the film of the same name, which in turn was adapted from two books by Donald Woods (‘Biko’ and ‘Asking for Trouble’).

It tells the true story of the friendship between white Journalist Donald Woods, and black anti-Apartheid activist Stephen Biko, in South Africa in the 1970s. Initially suspicious of each other’s motives, Woods and Biko become united, driven by their desire for equality in South Africa. When Biko dies in Police Custody – the Police’s story is that he died of a self-imposed hunger strike, while Biko’s body, and the routine practices of certain Police at the time make it clear that he was beaten and tortured to death – Woods is determined to tell Biko’s story to the rest of the world. However, the South African government and Police are determined to stop him, and place a banning order on him, effectively placing him under house arrest, and not allowing him to be in the company of more than one person at a time, save for immediate family. However, Woods is determined that Biko’s story should be told.

I enjoyed the book a lot – it made me gasp in horror at times, but was very compelling. The injustices committed against people in this book made my eyes pop, even though I already knew something about them.

The story is told in two parts – the first covers the friendship between the two men, while the second, after Biko’s death, describes Woods’ determination to see some justice for his friend, by telling the story of Biko and what he was striving for in South Africa. My only criticism of it would be that it doesn’t go into some areas in much depth, and I would have liked to have known more. It does read like a novel (and is described as such by the author), and so even though it is a true story, it flows well, and is hard to put down. I would have liked to have learned more about Biko’s life leading up to the events in the story, but as it is adapted from the screenplay, it only really describes what was happening in the film, which focused on just that time in Biko’s life. However, I would still recommend this book highly.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells the story of a white journalist that worked at the Daily Dispatch called Donald Woods and Steve Biko, who was a black anti-Apartheid leader in South Africa.

At first, Woods did not really appreciate Biko's ideas of equality between black and white people, although he did not agree with the police brutality against the blacks. Once he got to meet Biko, he started to think differently about his views and soon began to publish articles supporting Biko. This meeting led to a friendship that would inspire many other people to fight against the south african oppressive government.

They visited a black township and Woods started to actually noticed how different black people's lives were from his, and gradually got more involved in the fight for equal rights for everyone. However, his actions called the attention of the government who kept an eye on him and was determined to stop him supporting Biko.

One day, Biko was placed in custody because he was caught out of his banning area and dies. The police says that he died of a self-imposed hunger even though the truth was that he was tortured and beaten to death. This shocked the black population and caused a lot of rebellion while Woods was put under house arrest.

Hidden in his house, Woods started writing a book about Biko's story and was determined to tell it to the world. To see his book published, he had to flee with his family from South Africa to England, which he managed to do after a few difficulties.

Usually I do not like books that were based in movies, but this one was very enjoyable. It is an easy reading book and I found it very eye-opening to the injustices that humans commit against others. I learned a lot about the Apartheid period and Biko's life, so I would definitely recommend it.

[Rania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely life changing novel in my life and the people of Africa's life. The friendship between Biko and Donald Woods is so strong that it contributed to the end of apartheid - at least in their hometown. The way the story is told in such a moving and touching way, it makes you want to go over to your friends house and apologize. The way a white man and a black man join forces to end discrimination is filled with violence, broken hearts, fear and LIES. Steve Biko was arrested and killed in police custody and was mentioned in the newsletters as a person who fainted in custody. He was mentioned as an insignificant object with no importance whatsoever. Donald Woods fought for the cruelty of police treatment and was late arrested. He later escaped with the help of many people to publish his story of Steve Biko. When you're reading this part in particular you feel the adrenaline as if you were escaping the British government. This story is amazing because it's based on a true story and the way it's told is breathtaking. It's full of emotion that you need a box of tissues to end it. A short story with an impact. It was an overall good book and I recommend everyone to read it. It really grabs your attention to the African History and grows your thirst for more information about this cruel time.

[Masao Koda · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Oxford level6

2. 04/20=90min, 04/21=120min, 04/25=120min, 04/26=120min

3. South Africa, publish, black, white, peace, dead, relief

4.(a) 'We have the right to be angry,' Biko continued, 'but let us remember we are in this struggle not to kill someone but to kill the idea that one kind of man is better than another kind of man.'
(b) I like this passage and I sympathize with this idea. I think a black is equal as well as a white. And this idea is not violent but peaceful.

5. Actually, I had a hard time reading this book because there were little difficult phrases and many characters in it. But I managed to understand the contents of the book. I can't believe a white discriminate a black in the point of the difference in their skin's color. This book is about men who tried to change the world a white is better than a black. And I think this book can make you know how hard the men who tried to make the world equal for both a black and a white made effort. I was so impressed with that. But there has still been the discrimination against black in many countries like America. I think the discrimination will generate only hatred. What human being should do is living together peacefully without prejudice.

[Tumelo Motaung · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years I have confidently referred to myself as an advocate of the struggles of my people, always with their needs at the forefront. Some time back, it became aparent that I know very little about what really goes on on the ground and what the subsequent psychological influence in black lives. That I understand even less where we haave come from as a people. Reading about Biko's journey, espacially his murder, shook me. Not only did it deepen my understanding of the atrocties of the era, but also that of the notion of black consciousness. The accounts shed particular light on those tales of old told by uncles and aunts about their visits to family members who worked at the time in the kitchens and gardens of white suburbia, and their subsequent encounters with "the law". Stories we often shake off as bitter accounts, and don't pay much mind to because we were born in a better time. Yet again, not much has changed, has it?
One comes to wonder the weight Biko's legacy would hold in the present age would it not have been the willing sacrifices of Woods and his family - deeds that could only have come from a place of understanding.
An important account, bound to evoke emotion. One that every young South African must engage.

[Lara Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro me fue encomendado obligatoriamente para la Escuela y fue una verdadera sorpresa.

Acostumbrada a leer textos escolares que normalmente suelen ser odiosos, Cry Freedom me parecio algo diferente e interesante para nosotros, los alumnos. Un tema fuerte y complicado en un libro ligero pero no falto de detalles.

La unica crítica que tengo, es que me dio la sensación de tener dos finales. Uno durante el velorio de Biko y el otro el escape del periodista y su familia. Son como dos cierres distintos, que provocan una sensación dos libros en uno, de seguir con la secuela.

Recomendable como lectura escolar, especialmente, si no conocen a este personaje historico.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book book was well written and the story was catchy - it was the writing, which threw me off.


"You can never own land or pass anything on to your children. The land belongs to the white man.. and you, all you have got to give your children is this..." And Biko touched the black skin on his face.

I thought it was sad, that it was like that then, because it shouldn't be like that. You shouldn't feel like it isn't a great thing, to give on your skin-color to you kids.

[JJ Bowness]

I thought that is was a very intriguing book and I found it to be very impactful on my life as a whole. I saw the veracity in this book and I feel that it depicts society as it is in reality. We are often overly enthusiastic of the world, we neglect to accept the fact that change is imminent. This book addresses the harsh actuality of the society we live in. Some are deemed to be set apart from the others. The way this book condemns racial discrimination is unlike what I have ever seen, and it was a very eye-opening experience for me.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had to read it for school and it was without a doubt the best school lecture i have ever read
this book really impressed me and i'd like to think that even if i didn't have to read it, i still would, even twice.
definitely recommend it to everybody.
this book gave me a better look at what really happend during Apartheid, how bad it really, was, and what kind of heros actually existed.

this book left me thinking for a long time after i put it down.

never read a school lecture that fast, especially whithout forcing myself to read on.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

این اولین کتابی بود که راجع به آفریقای جنوبی میخوندم و دلیل انتخابش هم بیشتر بخاطر این بود که ی حداقل اطلاعی در مورد مردم آفریقای جنوبی و حرکت ضد آپارتایدی داشته باشم.
این کتاب در مورد دوستی استیو بیکو ، یکی از مبارزین مشهور جنبش ضد آپارتاید و دونالد وودز روزنامه نگار دیلی دیسپچ هست گه بعد از دوستی با بیکو به یکی از فعالین این جنبش تبدیل میشه.
دستگیری استیو بیکو، چگونگی کشته شدن وی و عدم اعلام ماجرای حقیقی مرگ بیکو، تلاش دونالد برای افشای حقیقت و در نهایت فرار دونالد بهمراه خانواده اش برای چاپ کتابی که در مورد بیکو نوشته بود از موضاعاتی بود که تو کتاب راجع بهش پرداخته شده.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this book, as I knew basically nothing about South African history before. However, it was very obvious that this book was based on the film by Richard Attenborough, and it showed in the writing; clearly John Briley knows how to write a screenplay, but I think some things could have been adjusted for the novel. The way this book switches perspectives all the time made it hard to connect to any of the characters, and there was quite a bit of overly explanatory writing.

[Eman A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read.
I knew very little about South African history.
Though the book only discussed a limited time period of that era and did not go in depth, it gave me a better understanding of the apartheid + the injustices and cruelty that south africans went through.

And I absolutely loved the relationship between biko and woods !! & and how it impacted Woods.

[Stephanie "Jedigal" · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been many years, so being conservative with a 3 star rating. I remember that I knew a tiny little bit about Steve Biko, and I really appreciated how accessible this book made some of that history. Accounts of real people can sometimes seem dull to me.... but not this one.

[Channyta Khieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I underestimated this book. It was given in Literature Studies class for sophomores, and I immediately thought it was going to be another boring school book. Then I had to read it for the upcoming test, and I was amazed by how drawn I was to reading it. Hey never judge a book by its cover! :)

[Katherine Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifying and inspirational at once

[Tripti Shrestha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!! It's so gripping you can't stop turning the pages, and you learn so much from this book.....

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried and then cried some more. What a great read. I will never look at humanity the same way.

[Ciaran Mcfadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational figure and a good-ish book. However, don't think it really goes into the subject in enough depth. little bit lightweight in my opinion.