Cry, the beloved country / Alan Paton. [print]

This book is the most famous and important novel in South Africa's history, and an immediate worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1948. Alan Paton's impassioned novel about a black man's country under white man's law is a work of searing beauty. 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. - Jacket flap.

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.

1 Paton, A. (2003). Cry, the Beloved Country. Scribner Book Company.

2 Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country. Scribner Book Company, 2003.

3 Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country. Scribner Book Company, 2003.

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Alan Paton (1903–1988) was a renowned South African author and anti-apartheid activist, best known for his novel "Cry, the Beloved Country," first published in 1948. This work is considered a classic of modern South African literature and a poignant exploration of the country's racial divisions and social injustices during the apartheid era. Born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, Paton pursued a career in education before turning to writing. He graduated from the University of Natal and later worked as a teacher, eventually becoming the principal of the Diepkloof Reformatory for young African offenders. His experiences there, combined with his deep love for South Africa and its people, significantly influenced his writing and political views. "Cry, the Beloved Country" was Paton's first novel and remains his most famous work. It tells the story of a black Anglican priest from a rural village who travels to Johannesburg to search for his son, only to find a society riven by racial inequality and injustice. The novel's lyrical prose and compassionate portrayal of its characters helped draw international attention to the harsh realities of apartheid. Apart from his literary career, Paton was actively involved in South African politics, particularly in the fight against apartheid. He co-founded the Liberal Party of South Africa in 1953, which was one of the few political organizations that advocated for non-racial democracy during apartheid. The party was ultimately banned in 1968 under the Prohibition of Political Interference Act, which prohibited political parties from having multiracial memberships. Throughout his life, Paton wrote several other novels, short stories, and biographies, and he remained a vocal critic of racial segregation. His works often reflect his commitment to justice, equality, and his vision for a better South Africa. Despite facing criticism and opposition for his political stance, Paton's legacy as a writer and activist continues to inspire discussions on racial harmony and social justice worldwide. The 2003 publication by Scribner Book Company would be a reissue of his seminal work, ensuring that Paton's message and literary significance endure for new generations of readers.