In 'Cry, the Beloved Country,' South Africa's landscape mirrors the turmoil of its people as the story follows Stephen Kumalo, a rural pastor on a poignant journey to Johannesburg in search of his son. The novel unveils the stark realities of racial injustice and social disarray, as Kumalo grapples with despair and hope amidst a fractured society. With lyrical prose, Alan Paton explores themes of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of love and forgiveness. As Kumalo encounters the profound struggles of both individuals and communities, readers are drawn into a narrative that compels them to reflect on humanity's shared strife. This classic tale resonates deeply, urging one to discover the potential for change in a divided world.
By Alan Paton
Published: 1987
"The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again."
“The greatest novel to emerge out of the tragedy of South Africa, and one of the best novels of our time.” —The New Republic “A beautiful novel…its writing is so fresh, its projection of character so immediate and full, its events so compelling, and its understanding so compassionate that to read the book is to share intimately, even to the point of catharsis, in the grave human experience.” —The New York Times An Oprah Book Club selection, Cry, the Beloved Country, was 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.
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“The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again.”
Cry, the Beloved Country
By Alan Paton
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Alan Paton (1903-1988) was a South African author and anti-apartheid activist, best known for his vivid and poignant novels that explore the complexities of racial conflict in South Africa. His most notable work, 'Cry, the Beloved Country' (1948), is a powerful portrayal of a country forced to confront its racial injustices and has been acclaimed for its lyrical prose and deep human empathy. Paton's writing style is characterized by its emotional depth and lyrical quality, often blending elements of philosophy and spirituality with a deep understanding of human suffering and resilience. In addition to his fiction, Paton was also a prominent political figure, advocating for social justice and equality, which profoundly influenced his literary voice.
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