Cry, the Beloved Country (Oprah's Book Club) by Alan Paton
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Book Reviews of Cry, the Beloved Country (Oprah's Book Club)
Book Review: Another MLA 100 oversight...
Summary: 5 Stars
Cry, The Beloved Country is a tremendous work of art. It really, really is. It may not be as "good" as the somewhat similarly-themed The Power of One...but it is "better," if you take my meaning. Deeper, more profound. More illuminating and thought-provoking.
Author Alan Paton was a devout Christian and a Kafferboetie--two things which I, emphatically, am not--but his literary ability, dovetailed with a definite time-and-place serendipity, enabled him to fuse those aspects of his persona into a book which transcends identity and politics, and which speaks not only to the Amy Biehls of this world. It touched me, and I think that South Africa, under black rule, is doomed to Zimbabwe's fate.
But politics and dogma aside, this book is a gift, not a polemic. It is a cri de coeur, not a political tract. It's a book that espouses a Christian moral ethic which, in the abstract, non-Christians should be receptive to. It is of Paton, but not for Paton. It's for you and I, whether black, white, liberal, conservative, and so forth.
Now, one last thing: How in the hell is this book not included on the MLA 100? It is MUCH better--not just as a book, but in terms of the significant issues it raises--than some of the pap stinking up the list. (E.g., Wide Sargasso Sea, On the Road.) It is CLEARLY superior to credible books on the list such as A Bend In The River, and the Studs Lonigan trilogy. Paton was a staunch liberal activist, and his book has as its main character an extremely sympathetic black South African...how did this not appeal to the bien-pensants who composed the list?
I don't get it. It should have been included...but it wasn't. Read it anyway, though.
Book Review: Eloquently written; exudes sacredness
Summary: 5 Stars
Cry, the Beloved Country is a rare book that presents a superbly written story that creates a sense of sacredness that is palpable. The characters in the book demonstrate the struggle of humanity to overcome pain and suffering through forgiveness, redemption and love. The main character Stephen Kumalo, an Anglican Parson in S. Africa, illustrates the gentleness, love and unselfishness that characterize the fruits of a life lived in God's presence. In the sorrows that occur during the story however he experiences darkness described by Paton, "There are times, no doubt, when God seems no more to be about the world." He refuses to lose faith in God or in the people around him. The relationship that buds between him and the father of a man murdered by Kumalo's son represents the fruit of forgiveness and redemption. What comes from it is healing for a valley and a people.
Paton paints the picture of S. Africa that included a beautiful country with beautiful people that had fallen victim to the vices of the modern world and the negative outcomes of a class/race-based society.
This is a book that no doubt contributed to the healing and reconciliation among the people of S. Africa.
In addition to its moral and spiritual qualities, the story is compelling and enjoyable to read.
The plea of the book stands out as the cry for all humanity:
"God save Africa, the beloved country. God save us from the deep depths of our sins. God save us from the fear that is afraid of justice. God save us from the fear that is afraid of men. God save us all."
Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays
Book Review: An Intelligently Woven Story
Summary: 5 Stars
The story line involving several generations reveals how age affords patience and a sense of realism to a person. It also reveals how distorted a society can become for both the oppressed and the oppressor. Written during apartheid, it's a world divided by fear and pain even unto death.
Paton was not exactly a career writer when he took this up. Anyone who is interested in learning how to write effective, creative dialogue would do well to read this. Quotation marks are not used and therefore not OVERused. Instead it begins with a simple dash mark like this -Pretty good eh? It was so REFRESHING, I never realized how tedious and distracting breaking away to quotation marks could be in reading and attempting to comprehend a novel. Paton in not being overschooled in writing of the novel didn't know the rules so didn't use them, resulting in a really fresh piece of writing.
Book Review: A first-rate story of racism and re-education in South Africa...
Summary: 5 Stars
Alan Paton's novel, 'Cry the Beloved Country,' remains one of the most popular and beloved books because of the themes it explores and its knowledgeable portrayel of life in South Africa. Even though it is a fairly old book, its themes have remained important in South Africa today. As this country struggles with a post-Apartheid past and current racial divides, this book remains important. It tells the story of a black priest and his involvement in the trial of a young black man and a powerful white landowner. Even though the trial has a sad outcome, the priest and the white man learn to forgive and accept differences so it isn't all in vain. A must-read for anyone interested in this great country and its current or past issues.Book Review: This is the one of the best books ever written....
Summary: 5 Stars
I was moved and cried till my eyes ached. This is one of the best books I have and will ever read.
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