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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I really wanted to enjoy this book. It is an important piece of literature that opened a window into a world little understood at the time. But I just couldn't find myself drawn to it. I did listen to the book and while the narrator was good, I wonder if this is one of those examples where the beauty and power of a book is lost through this medium. In the end, it was a disappointing use of my time, and that makes me sad.
It's an overall excellent book, but every few chapters I did seem to have to try really hard to get back into it.
But as I got further in the book, that problem occured less often.
But as I got further in the book, that problem occured less often.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my all-time favorites. Set in in apartheid South Africa, Cry, the Beloved Country is a deeply moving story, beautifully written, full of lyrical prose and poetic imagery. Paton uses the story of two families to tell the larger story of South Africa. I was completely drawn in to the stories of a kind, old rural priest and his wealthy, white, landholder neighbor.
Phewww. I picked this up at a used book sale Saturday because I vaguely recognized the title. And wow. This was STUNNING and gut wrenching. Such a breath of fresh air after Farewell to Arms. This had emotion but wasn't overwrought, it was genuine and earnest and absolutely devastating. But also very hopeful. You feel such an empathy with Kumalo. Every character is so conflicted and complex but redeemed. Love love loved it. One of my favorites ever, maybe.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
This book holds up really well for something written about race in 1940s South Africa. There are some places where the popular discourse has changed (sometimes substantially), but I'd imagine this was pretty darn progressive for the time/place in which it was written.
The prose is interesting. For the most part I found it pretty bland, but there are passages that are pretty amazing interspersed in otherwise pedestrian language.
The prose is interesting. For the most part I found it pretty bland, but there are passages that are pretty amazing interspersed in otherwise pedestrian language.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had read this book and liked it in 12th grade, but couldn't remember anything about it, so I decided to read it again in anticipation of our trip to South Africa. It is a modern(?) classic, and still very moving, but a bit out of touch with contemporary politics in South Africa. True, there are still marked racial and economic disparities in the country, but I would like to find something more current....