Cry, the Beloved Country: A Novel of South Africa

Twayne's Masterwork Studies #69

by Edward Callan

Describes the background of Cry, the Beloved Country, discusses its themes, and looks at its critical reception

Genres: Africa, Classics, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club, South Africa, Novels

127 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[Loni]

This book is one that I have meant to read for many years. I am glad that I borrowed it off of Tylers Book shelf, and got into it. I loved this book!

[Jane]

I absolutely loved this book. I learned much about Africa, and mostly about repentance and forgiveness. I find myself many times in the place of both men, needing to repent of my own sins, or forgive someone of their own. It gave me a greater feeling of compassion for those who suffer.

[Nivedita]

Very different narrative than what black African writers would choose to write. It is idealistic - Paton proposes simple solutions like love for entire humanity to remove discrimination. However, racism, historical violence and social injustice cannot be countered with just love. There comes acknowledgement and rehabilitation first, followed by giving equal political leadership and roles, and the readiness to build solidarity over separation.

[Traci]

My husband first read this book and told me I needed to read it. I am glad I did. The author did an amazing job of showing the different sides of South Africa's struggle against racial intolerance . I think it helped you to see how "good" see's no color.

[Rachel]

This book helped me understand Africa and some of its struggles. It was an amazing story that made me laugh and cry. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Susie]

Beautiful. Just beautiful. This story of suffering and redemption is absolutely astonishing and beautifully written. So much depth. So many layers. So much meaning. I loved it.

[Jed]

I know that if you scrolled through my books you'd think I wasn't giving a lot of thought to my ratings when most of them have 5 stars. Maybe that cheapens the rating, maybe it means I only read good books (no I don't, see "A Farewell to Arms").

None the less, I heartily give this book all 5 stars. It's all the good things you've ever heard about it. And if you've never heard anything about it, you should pick it up. Seems like there were a handful of these in the last century that shaped things in literature and politics, and this was one of them. For good reason. Now I know why it has been on many college and high school readings lists for so long. It's up there with the best of those works that underscore a social issue with such elegance and poetry, it cuts right to the heart of the reader, and incites real thought, genuine pity and, in some cases, change.

(but I just realized that I have the wrong picture and, therefore, the wrong title on this listing. The novel I read was Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, and not this masterworks studies of that novel. Just to be clear. Sorry, Edward Callan.)

[Jennifer]

This is one of those books that a lot of people read during high school or college. Somehow, I never had it on any of my reading lists, so I picked it out of my fiance's collection and read it. It was a surprisingly short book, but it captivated me. What I noticed most about the novel was how fear connected the characters -- the fear of finding a child in a bad situation, the fear of punishment, the fear of always being oppressed. Each character in the novel has a set of fears that plague him or her, some more than others. James Jarvis fears that his son's death will be in vain if his work is not carried on. John Kumalo fears obscurity and disrespect. It is this fear that drives the characters to act in the way they do. For the young "natives" this results in translating their fear into violence, while for someone like Stephen Kumalo it presents as a sudden loss of faith.

I really enjoyed this book, and felt a real connection with the characters and the author. It's been a while since I've really thought about a novel, and this one definitely had me thinking.

[Heidi]

Read for book club. I thought it was a really good book - painted a beautiful, informative picture of S. Africa in that pre-apartheid time period. The story was touching and good for me to read - I am so used to happy endings (maybe because with 3 little girls, I watch so many Disney movies that I'm programmed to only accept happy endings). So - it took some time there at the end to accept that the bad guys got away (at least temporarily) with murder - and that his son never did receive mercy.
But...
that's real life, right? And that's what this story is about. I love that the Umfundisi is so human and we can see his struggles and imperfections, yet his charity and unwaivering love.
Good book!

[Abdulmoniem Altayeb]

It is a social protest against a society that would give later to the emergence of apartheid structures. Patton attempts to create an unbiased and objective of binaries follows that: he portrays whites as "Native crime, while blacks of social instability and ethical issues suffered because of the collapse of the tribal system is affected. It shows many of the problems with South Africa, such as degrading allocated to the residents of territories , which is sometimes considered to be the main theme, and the disintegration of tribal society and native Crime , and a trip to the urban areas.

[Georgia]

This is an amazingly thought provoking novel of South Africa in the late 1940's. Even though it deals with a 'heavy' topic kindness and goodwill seems to raise to the surface like cream. I was especially interested because it takes place where I am right now in Cities where I have been or are in our mission. Everyday I see the Zulu ways that are described in the book. Read it! You will love it and learn alot about South Africa!

[Karen Davis]

I read this book and it was very interesting to me first because it was about Africa, secondly, because it taught me about the life there and I learned some terminology. I also broke my heart as I read it. The fathe searching for his son and his sister and her husband. It showed love and endurance. It was a very good read.

[Mark]

A classic that should not escape anyone’s shelf!
I echo my wife's thoughts:
"The author did an amazing job of showing the different sides of South Africa's struggle against racial intolerance. I think it helps you to see how "good" sees no color."

[Allyson Cash]

It was really good. It was interesting to learn some things about South Africa. The poor conditions that so many people live in are heart breaking.It makes you realize how great we have it in America. It was a good read.

[Aaron]

This was a rough book to read in high school. The depth in which it deals with oppression, injustice, love and family all make you think, and keep your brain going for a long time.

A sad and beautiful story.

[Holly]

I read this back in high school and it immediately became my favorite book. But I just read it again and there were some slow parts, so I decreased my rating. Overall, it's got some light South African history and has a very Christian belief base throughout the story of this minister's journey.

[Carolinecarver]

A wonderful book. It was one my mother always loved, and I am sorry it took me so long. I should have read it before I went to Africa, but it applies to any culture actually. Beautifully written and characters lovingly protrayed.

[Lizzie]

I read this in highschool and hated it. We were in American Literature class and I couldn't get pass the fact that my teacher choose a non-American book. I was stubborn. I wanted Emily Dickinson. Will reread and give a second chance.

[Heather]

The book was rich in detail and provided a great lesson about forgiveness.

[Monty James]

Insight into Apartheid South Africa

[Stuart]

As much as I hate to agree with Oprah, this one's a winner. Great characters, a neat balance of cogitation and agitation, and a compelling historical milieu. Excellent.

[Linda]

I learned about South Africa, the politics associated with this diverse country, its history, and its passion. This story is both sorrowful and joyful

[Warner]

A great book on South Africa and it's people

[Linda]

this is a classic, but i had a tough time getting into it. not sure why.

[Lauree]

I keep thinking back to this book - much more so than most. It is a powerful story.

[Melissa McClintock]

err, umm. i had listened to this on audio a couple of years ago. it's fabulous on audio in the african accent...

[Heather Love]

You will want to see S. Africa after you read this book!! He is a great writer and you will learn a lot

[Heather]

loved the imagery, humility and humanity found throughout. will become a must read for my children someday.

[Kelly Taylor]

This was so beautiful and moving. I absolutely loved it.

[Tonya]

Ummm...this isn't the book I read...oops!