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Cry, The Beloved Country (A Scribner…
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Cry, The Beloved Country (A Scribner Classic) (original 1948; edition 1987)

by Alan Paton

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9,328181838 (3.99)553
Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo travels to Johannesburg on an errand for a friend and to visit his son, Absalom, only to learn Absalom has been accused of murdering white city engineer and social activist Arthur Jarvis and stands very little chance of receiving mercy.
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Title:Cry, The Beloved Country (A Scribner Classic)
Authors:Alan Paton
Info:Scribner (1987), Edition: 4th, Paperback, 283 pages
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Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (1948)

1940s (6)
Africa (1)
AP Lit (165)
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» See also 553 mentions

English (177)  German (1)  French (1)  All languages (179)
Showing 1-5 of 177 (next | show all)
Serious "white guy writing about black people" vibes here, but undeniably powerful. Also useful as a picture of a place and time. ( )
  aleshh | Jan 12, 2024 |
Another historical fiction that was probably just contemporary fiction at the time (published 1947, and I think the year is mentioned as 1946 at some point in the novel?), and my second book extra credit for Feb/March for Biere Library book club! I actually never read this in high school, so this was my first time through and I can see why: goes over a historical period, compelling conflicting points of view, and some lyrical writing. Also, another accidental foray into another piece of media thinking about fatherhood as Stephen Kumalo and Jarvis consider the incident between their sons.

I did audiobook due to infant wrangling in this season, and while I really did like Michael York's narration, the Zulu and Afrikaans words really should be read (physical editions also have glossaries, I'm told) as I spent the first third thinking Kumalo's home village was "Indochine" and wondered at the global nature of place names. ( )
  Daumari | Dec 28, 2023 |
This book was so moving and beautifully written. Don't miss it. ( )
  mmcrawford | Dec 5, 2023 |
Beautiful. Also relevant. There are things about 1948 South Africa that ring true here, today. So much fear. This is a sad book, for sure, but also lovely. ( )
  nogomu | Oct 19, 2023 |
What an amazing book. This had been on my list to read for a long time and I wish I had gotten to it sooner. The writing is amazing, the first few pages grabbed me and I felt the amazing rhythm of the words that reminded me of South African songs I know. The difficult plot is handled so sensitively. I am so glad I read this and it will stay with me a long time.
  amyem58 | Oct 7, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 177 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (21 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Alan Patonprimary authorall editionscalculated
Aasen, FinnTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Callan, EdwardIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gannett, LewisIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hillelson, JohnPhotographersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Leonardo, ToddCover photosecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Majorick, B.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Moppès, Denise VanTraductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Scibner, Charles, Jr.Forewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Smith, Mary AnnCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Van Moppès, DeniseTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Epigraph
Dedication
To Aubrey & Marigold Burns of Fairfax, California
To
my wife
and to my friend of many years
JAN HENDRIK HOFMEYR
First words
There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills.
Quotations
It is not permissible to add to one's possessions if these things can only be done at the cost of other men. Such development has only one true name, and that is exploitation.
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 a valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.
Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the man who is dead, for the woman and children bereaved. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end.
All roads lead to Johannesburg.
When people go to Johannesburg, they do not come back.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo travels to Johannesburg on an errand for a friend and to visit his son, Absalom, only to learn Absalom has been accused of murdering white city engineer and social activist Arthur Jarvis and stands very little chance of receiving mercy.

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