Review: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

Cry, the Beloved Country has been hailed as "the greatest novel to emerge out of the tragedy of South Africa..." (The New Republic), and though I am sorely uneducated about the history of South Africa, I can completely understand the praise this novel receives. The story is told with great feeling and emotion, almost a poetic feel to it. It is beautifully written.

The story follows Stephen Kumalo, a priest in search of his only son who has gone astray in a large and dangerous city, and James Jarvis, a wealthy farmer whose son has just been murdered, both from the town of Ndotsheni. As the story unfolds, these two must face deep fears and heartache, coming to the end of their own thoughts. And finding hope there.

One of the things I truly loved about this story is the ending. Perhaps I appreciate this moreso than usual as I am drawing to the close of my own manuscript and therefore giving much more thought to how on earth to end the crazy thing. Some stories end so perfectly-- with every conflict neatly resolved. This story, though, does not end so simply. But the last chapter so clearly ends the story. It is amazing to me. The deep questions the character wrestled with have had some answer. But the events in the story are by no means finished. This is so true to life. Maybe that's why it works so well in this story.

Cry, the Beloved Country is considered a classic. I won't lie-- it's harder reading than some of the others I've reviewed here. But it is well worth the read. If you have never read it, do yourself the favor and change that. Happy reading!