Reviews - Cry, the Beloved Country

769 reviews for:

Cry, the Beloved Country

Alan Paton

3.77 AVERAGE

lusbooks's review against another edition

5.0

challenging informative

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

vineyard1021's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

tmickle's review against another edition

4.0

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

enlam's review against another edition

5.0

AJSJSK. I AM ABOUT TO CRY.

This book is absolutely beautiful. It's compellingly written, with wonderful characters and it hurts, a lot, with hope and hopelessness and joy and sadness all at once.

skigirlpdx's review against another edition

4.0

I have wanted to read this book ever since I took a class on African literature in college. At first, the book was slow, and though I was listening to it on audio in my car, I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish. The prose seemed so simple and and almost elementary.

And then, somehow, at some point unknown, the story captured me. The characters captured me. the simple phrases held such deep, profound meaning, almost unintentionally. The story reminded me of something by Chinua Achebe, depicting the profound, many layered, many facets of the African struggle and history through simple phrases and a slowly paced plot.

The quoteable lines were many and profound, but my favorite line is the one that Msinmungo repeated whenever complimented on His actions or faith: "I am a weak and sinful man, but God put His hands on me, that is all."

obscurepoetess's review against another edition

5.0

Cry, the Beloved Country is an incredible book that is full of insight that is very relevant for the current political climate: immigration policies/practices, how we treat each other, and the status quo. I felt it was especially relevant for my future as an attorney and the kind of person I want to be. In addition to how applicable this story is the character development was incredible. I felt that I could connect with each person in the book.