Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
Posted by TulipGirl | Under Around the World Wednesday Dec 31, 2008I’m finally reading Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country
I haven’t read much about South Africa since the early 90s when I went through a phase of Biko / Cry Freedom
Still, my heart is moved when I get glimpses of the struggles in people’s lives there. And once again I’m reminded of this truth and so I pray.
I can’t believe it but I’ve never read any of those books. I’m going to put them on hold at the library. Hubby tells me to only read them when I want to feel miserable.
Cry the Beloved Country is one of my most favorite books. There’s a movie, but I’ve not watched it. Another good South African novel is The Power of One. Another favorite. I came across your blog from Challies. Good stuff. Blessings to you and yours and Happy New Year. B.
“Cry, the beloved country,” will not make you miserable. It is a truly Christian novel of sin and grace, and even though is it about an early moment in South African history, it still is the one novel that most clearly portrays the heart of South Africa. Thank you for mentioning this book, and may reading it deepen your wisdom and nuance your imagination.
“It is a truly Christian novel of sin and grace. . .” That is what I have found so far — and that is what has moved me near to tears. That, and the universal story of our children growing and struggling, good and bad.
I love that book. It reads like a poem. Enjoy!
i just noticed this –I loved that book!!! i finished it and just sobbed and sobbed, it was so bitter-sweet. I always remember the priest’s words. . . something like “i am not good, but God has put His hand on me; and that is all.”
literarily, I was so impressed with how the book paces itself just like the culture it’s written about–like you move thru the book like that culture feels. It’s a good book–I understood the word “apartheid” from that book–such an 80′s (?) word; and I never exactly understood what it meant til i read CTBC.
I want to re-read it. My reading group read that last year and it was possibly my favorite of the books we read.
I lived in SA for several years a teen, in Zulu territory. I was a big fan of Chief Buthelezi as well. It is a lovely land that will break your heart.