Description from Books On Tape CD: An old Zulu parson from the hills above Ixopo sets out for Johannesburg, the "city of evil", looking for his son. He finds his boy in prison, charged with the murder of a white man who had devoted his life to justice for the black race.
Need a good book for your reading group? There is more to discuss in Cry, the Beloved Country
than a single short review could ever touch. There was one particular theme, though, that deeply resonated with me. I'm a true believer in "there is a reason for everything that happens, we just don't always see it", and this book delves into that belief at nearly every level. The definitions of "good" and "bad" are questioned. The uneasy friendship that develops between the father of the murdered man and the father of his killer transcends mere forgiveness and comes to benefit an entire town. Actually, it's not even "friendship" they develop. It is more of a respect and a desire to understand. It is one of those books that makes me want to be a better person. And that is never a bad thing.
I read this book when I was in junior high school and I'm sure I didn't really understand it, so I need to read it again.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ It really took until close to the end of the book for some of the themes to really start coming together for me. I'd like to read this again in the future, too.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
I was given this book for my birthday a couple of years ago, and finally read it this summer. I enjoyed the strong moral themes in this book, but think that I should read it again soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog earlier this week!
Jo-Jo ~ You're welcome! And I do think this book takes more than one read to soak it all in.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Lezlie, you've single-handedly accomplished what no one else throughout my entire college career was able to do: get me interested in this book!
ReplyDeleteYay!
Andi ~ Really? Cool! I hope it doesn't turn out that I have misguided you! :-)
ReplyDeleteLezlie
This is just a beautiful book--the story and the writing.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeletehttp://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Chain Reader & Naida ~ It took me a little while to get into it, but it took my breath away at the end.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
I read this book a couple of years ago with my book club. It generated a lot of good discussion. A very powerful book, in a small package.
ReplyDeleteLezlie - I am so glad you reviewed this book. I'm going to go find it (buried somewhere in my bookshelves) and re-read this one. Sometimes we need reminders like yours to go dig out the really important stories.
ReplyDeleteI tried to read this a few years ago, but I put it down one day and never picked it up again. Actually, I am not even sure where it is. It certainly isn't on my bookshelves!
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ I definitely think there are a million things to talk about with this book. I'll bet there were fabulous discussions!
ReplyDeleteMichele ~ Thank you! I'm glad I can do the book some justice. I always feel inadequate to the task when it comes to "reviewing" classics like this.
Marg ~ I admit I didn't love the book right away, but as I started to see the themes developing, I became more involved in it. It took a while though!
Lezlie
This book was on a reading list when I was at school - I loved the title but never got round to reading it.Maybe I will next year?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one next year - it's on one of my challenge lists - one of those challenges YOU got me hooked into!
ReplyDeleteBooks Please ~ It will be worth the read whenever you get to it. :-)
ReplyDeleteTerri ~ My bad! :-) I would say I'm sorry, but the challenges are so much fun I feel obliged to drag everyone along! I hope you enjoy Cry, The Beloved Country as much as I did.
Lezlie
I always heard this title and never knew what it was about. I think I even have it buried in my bedside pile somewhere... another one I really ought to read soon.
ReplyDeleteJeane ~ I wasn't sure either. I came to it via the 1001 Books list. I knew that list was good for something! :-)
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Hi Lezlie, I've nominated you for an award please visit my blog for details.
ReplyDeleteZetor ~ Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteLezlie
This sounds familiar but I'm almost positive that I haven't read it before...
ReplyDeleteLadytink ~ It's on a lot of recommended lists. *A lot*. Which can make a person wary. . . :-)
ReplyDeleteLezlie