Though not published until early in 1948 (and the events leading to its submission for publication, which the author describes in the Author's Note at the beginning, were rather unusual) Cry the Beloved Country was written in late 1946, and is set in the author's present. It's fair to say that it's generally recognized as one of the greatest masterpieces of world literature produced in the 20th century, or indeed any century, and hands down the greatest novel ever written (to date) by a South Af...

سیل که تهدید می کند آدم در نگرانی برای خانه اش بسر می برد اما خانه که خراب شد کاری باید کرد ، در برابر سیل کاری از او ساخته نیست اما خانه ویران را می توان از نو ساخت .بنال وطن نوشته آلن پیتون نویسنده و فعال و مخالف تبعیض نژادی اهل آفریقا جنوبی داستانی ایست درباره تبعیض نژادی یا آپارتاید در آفریقا و افرادی که درشرایط جهنمی آن زندگی می کنند . نویسنده دورانی را روایت کرده که مردمان چه سیاه و چه سفید در حال آگاه شدن نسبت به آپارتاید و اثرات آن در محیط زندگی خود بوده و شروع به مبارزه در برابر وضع م...

This is the story of South Africa, and it is the story of two fathers and two sons. There is a moment in which the fathers meet face-to-face that contains everything there is of humanity and the struggle for understanding and compassion in men. That moment left me eviscerated. I love that this is not written in the spirit of good vs. evil, but in the spirit of man vs. his baser instincts. I sincerely loved Stephen Kumalo and Mr. Jarvis, and I felt both their heartaches. Some books are meant to b...

A few years ago, after twenty years out of high school, I made a point to start rereading all of the classics assigned to me in school. It has been an arduous yet uplifting task as I have experienced these classic books again through an adult mind. In this the third year that I am participating in classics bingo, I took the opportunity to revisit another high school book for the classic of the 20th century square. Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country seventy years later is still considered the ...

Alan Paton's 1948 novel, Cry the Beloved Country, is a tale that embraces so very many things well beyond the period of Apartheid in South Africa; among them are the power of faith, the resolute strength of family bonds, the capacity for resilience, urban vs. rural environments, the concept of forgiveness & even beyond that, of reconciliation, all of these portrayed within an abiding biblical context. Amazingly, the novel was written by someone whose life was spent as a teacher, including f...

Beautiful writing, that is why this book gets four stars. But what do I mean by beautiful writing? That can mean so much. Here every sentence is simple. Every thought is simple. It is writing where all words that can be removed are removed. What remains is clear and concise and beautiful. The core is left, and that core says exactly what has to be said.The book is about Africa, South Africa in particular and racial injustice in this country. It is about right and wrong and men's strengths and we...

Alan Paton - image from The South African - photo by Terence SpencerThis is a classic, written by a white South African about a time before apartheid. Two fathers, one white, one black and their sons. It is stylistically unusual. Quotes are not used, for example. Conversation is indicated by leading dashes. Also the speech is quite formal most of the time, which conveys some of the culture of the place, I expect. Dark forces are abroad, but hope shows its face here as well, as there are leaders ...

I am a teacher and, after 34 years, attempt to find new combinations in the catalogue of "must reads." I have done this as a staple for years. Last year, when deciding what I wanted to do - kind of like window shopping for lovely clothes -- I decided to read this book after reading Hamlet. I love the mirrored plot structure. I adore the fact that the land is a character. The moral imperative and subsequent hemming and hawing in Hamlet takes on a different light and life in the beautifully wrough...

This isn't an infinitely quotable book, but occasionally it produces a line that is devastatingly clear and true. Lines like, "It was not his habit to dwell on what could have been, but what could never be." and, “It is the duty of a judge to do justice, but it is only the people who can be just.” made me put the book down and stare dumbfounded at the wall. But mostly this isn't a highly quotable book; it's a beautifully written, riveting book where passages or entire halves of scenes are compel...

I cant say enough about this book. It is lyrically written, reads almost like an epic out of Ireland. The dialog between characters is straightforward, and the book manages to give you a glimpse of Apartheid S. Africa, from the richest people, to the poor urban laborers, to the criminals, to the peaceful rural farmers trying to maintain their land after many years of neglect. This is a classic that I have read probably 3 or 4 times.

My copy is beat to hell, but readable.