A review by renniee_
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I have conflicting feelings with this book that I can't describe. Paton's prose is poetic and beautiful, don't get me wrong, and I understand exploring racial injustices in South Africa's history as a white author, but the way he handles African culture and the book's subject matter, especially towards in the end rubs me the wrong way. I can't put it into the right words because I can't remember the extent to which he handles the aforementioned, I'm not the right person for it, and I'm not entirely educated in the subject matter. I do think there are other books that best tell, describe, and critique whatever Paton's trying to do here.