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Cry, the Beloved Country

frederick davidson (narrator) alan paton frederick davidson

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Cry, the Beloved Country, the most famous and important novel in South Africa’s history, was an immediate worldwide bestseller 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, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.

The eminent literary critic Lewis Gannett wrote, “We have had many novels from statesmen and reformers, almost all bad; many novels from poets, almost all thin. In Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country the statesman, the poet and the novelist meet in a unique harmony.”

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.

8 pages, Audio CD

First published February 1,1948
Literary awards
anisfield-wolf book award, 
Places
south africa, 

This edition

Format
8 pages, Audio CD
Published
October 1, 2003 by Blackstone Audiobooks
ISBN
9780786188987
ASIN
0786188987
Language
English
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

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frederick davidson (narrator) alan paton

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
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34(34%)
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99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
huntress1013
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Personally, I must admit that I did not find this particular work to be an outstanding audio book. However, I am left somewhat uncertain as to whether the issue lies with the book itself or perhaps the manner in which I listened to it (at a 3x speed).

Still, as is evident from my rating, I did indeed enjoy it. In fact, I truly feel the need to go back and experience it in print, as I firmly believe that in that format, it would easily earn a five-star rating.

This was a deeply moving book. It had its moments of angst, to be sure, but it never reached a point where it became overly distracting. The themes of grief and the complex family dynamics really managed to shine through, making it a truly engaging read.

It has been sitting on my to-read list for an extremely long time, and I am now very glad that I finally got around to reading it. It has definitely been a worthwhile experience.
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Candyforever
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book holds an abundance of layers of meaning.

One cannot simply close it upon reaching the last page and declare, "Yep, I read it. Here's what it's about..." The story is told in a rather simple, almost understated manner. However, one can sense the author's profound love for his country and its people, with all their flaws.

There is a vast amount to explore regarding hope, despair, love, exploitation, forgiveness, and perseverance. My utmost admiration is directed towards the Jarvis character for the way he copes with his grief and demonstrates his forgiveness through acts of quiet generosity.

The book was penned sixty years ago, yet the issues and concerns it presents are just as pertinent today as they were back then - not only for South Africa but on a global scale.

Thanks, Elisabeth! Over the years, I have passed by this book countless times and would not have read it without your recommendation. :)
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DryBrined
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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\"Cry, the Beloved Country\" is a remarkable story. It tells of Stephen Kumalo, a Zulu pastor, who is forced to leave his rural life in the 1940s South Africa. He must journey to Johannesburg to find his son Absalom and sister Gertrude, who have been lost in the big city. This book has many wonderful aspects. It is beautifully written, making it a compulsive read. The different voices and views are captured well and for the most part, sympathetically. However, the voice of some black South Africans who agitated, as seen by Paton, with hate in their hearts, is an exception. Modern readers might see it as a reasonable response given the provocation. The book not only offers a deep dive into South Africa but also has a more universal appeal. It shows how oppressed people face tyranny and the individual choices for redemption in an unredeeming system. The words in the book are moving and beautiful. The famous quote, \"Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear...\" is just one example. I also loved the opening page. It is a little overwrought but in a lovely Oprah way. It is my favorite opening page of 2015 and the best description of soil erosion ever. Overall, it is a marvelous book.

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OtacoMan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A beautiful, rich, and amazing book awaits you. It is a literary masterpiece that has the remarkable ability to transform the harshest aspects of life, such as struggle, suffering, and betrayal, into the most exquisite form of poetry.

Within its pages, you will encounter characters who experience the full spectrum of human emotions, from the depths of despair to the heights of joy. The author skillfully weaves together a narrative that explores the complex themes of kindness, honor, and dishonor, painting a vivid and unforgettable picture of the human condition.

This book is not just a story; it is a work of art that will touch your heart, stir your soul, and leave you with a profound sense of wonder and appreciation for the power of literature. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply a seeker of great stories, this book is sure to captivate and inspire you.
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sekaiwaKIREI
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Had I known what this book was truly about, and had I not been misled by its title, which made me assume it would be yet another disheartening account of Apartheid, I would have picked it up many years ago!

Contrary to the implications of the title, this book shines a light on the hope that existed in South Africa, even before the bleak era of Apartheid took hold. It showcases forgiveness and the collaboration of people from different races. However, it does not avoid addressing the problems: the exploitation of black people who were compelled to work for meager wages for the benefit of white mine owners, the crime that made people feel afraid in their own homes, and the potential danger of ignoring the warnings about changing the enforced inequality.

The wisdom within this book was unforeseen. It emphasized how the breakdown of tribal life left people ill-prepared for the new urban life they were forced to embrace for employment. The words penned by the murdered man rang extremely true when he spoke of the need for change. Moreover, those living in the New South Africa cannot help but appreciate the truth in the final statement: “I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring only the good for their country, come together to work for it. I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.”

Beautifully written, this book is filled with quotable passages on almost every page. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in racial issues, South Africa, or Africa as a whole.
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asharcade
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I love this book deeply.

It holds a special place among all the books I have ever read and is truly one of my all-time favorites.

The author, Alan Paton, possesses a remarkable and beautiful ability. He masterfully writes about the tragedies that occurred in South Africa, painting a vivid and heart-wrenching picture.

Simultaneously, he weaves a deeply moving story of two fathers who are going through the worst experiences of their lives.

The gripping sadness of their experiences is, however, overshadowed by the powerful love and unwavering faith of a father who is simply striving to do the right thing.

Alan Paton's prose is so captivating and his insight is so profound that they combine to create an awesome reading experience.

I highly recommend this book not only for the pure reading pleasure it offers but also for the valuable look it provides into human nature and life in South Africa, which was then "a black man's country under white man's law...".

It is a book that will touch your heart and make you think deeply about the world around us.
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fluo-ado
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have a great admiration for this book, yet I have never truly fallen in love with it. It is often deeply affecting, and there are certain sections that are truly beautiful. Moreover, it is a kind book, which I really appreciate. There is a profound optimism and kindness that truly pervades throughout the entire work. I particularly liked the last 20 - 30 pages.

However, it maintains a certain distance from its characters. The style throughout is biblical, which endows the prose with a solid and stern quality that is both interesting and sometimes quite impressive, but also rather distancing. With the exception of a few fleeting moments, the characters are impenetrable, almost like ciphers. With the notable exception of Stephen Kumalo, our protagonist, they often seem more like Statements or Messages rather than real people. This is especially evident in the case of the women in the book, who either represent moral messages or remain largely out of focus.

Nonetheless, it is definitely worth a read, and there are numerous aspects of this book that one can love. I can fully understand why some people would rate it 4 to 5 stars. However, the style simply wasn't to my taste.
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FanWeiTai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This isn't an infinitely quotable book, but it does have its moments.

Occasionally, it presents a line that is devastatingly clear and true. For instance, "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.” These lines made me stop and stare at the wall in dumbfounded awe.

However, for the most part, this isn't a highly quotable book. Instead, it's a beautifully written, riveting one. The passages and entire halves of scenes are like compelling streams of words. They are easily understandable in terms of actions and conversations, yet profound in their insights and suggestions about human life in both adversity and prosperity.

If you're going to write a borderline hopeless story, this is how it should be done. Paton's prose is mostly readable and sometimes even beautiful, especially in his monologues, letters, and prayers.

For example, he writes, "The truth is that our Christian civilization is riddled through and through with dilemma. We believe in the brotherhood of man, but we do not want it in South Africa. We believe that God endows men with diverse gifts, and that human life depends for its fullness on their employment and enjoyment, but we are afraid to explore this belief too deeply. We believe in help for the underdog, but we want him to stay under."

Paton touches on almost every level of trouble in post-colonial South Africa. He explores racism, classism, elitism, residual imperial feelings, how wealth corrupts natives, arbitrary segregation, the loss of family values, the loss of social pride, the abandonment of positive religious teachings, the inability of government, and the misunderstanding of new laws.

He doesn't simply blame white people or black people. Instead, he creates individuals who embody multiple faults. When such people make up a new nation, he shows how such a system could collapse and increase human suffering.

Paton doesn't rub this in your face. Even his forward explains that several of these people are real or based on real people, and he praises those who are working towards a better world. This novel is all about trying to do something. It's not literary bleakness or contemptible anti-humanitarianism.

There are good people stuck in all of this, and from the very first chapter, you get the sense that this is, if not a good place, then a place that could be truly great. The difference between Alan Paton here and Edith Wharton or Nathanael West in much of their writing is that the disappointment doesn't permeate the tone and the myopic view doesn't bias the story. Paton is a far more sympathetic writer, able to capture the most dangerous elements of humanity in a unique way.

We'd be better off if this kind of writing became more common.
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