Book Review: Cry, the Beloved Country

Oh, wait. Give me second to get a stick of gum before I start writing. Ah. There we go. Okay, now I'm ready. Just so you know, I think and write better when I chew gum, especially this--what is this?--um, passionberry twist sugar-free Trident gum. With Xylitol. (Let's not forget that; it's very important). It's not my favorite flavor, but it definitely worth masticating (For those of you who don't know, it is not a sin to masticate. Remember that).

But that is hardly the point of this post. I did not intend to write about passionberry twist sugar-free Trident gum (No, they are not paying me every time I write that). Of course not. Actually, tonight I have finished (about ten minutes ago actually) the book Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.

Now, before beginning this book review, I must say that it has been certainly one of the most satisfying reads I have had in a while. Not because the other books I have read are sub-standard (of course they aren't) but this one happens to rise above them in its beauty of prose and depth of character and feeling.

Plot: A Zulu priest in South Africa travels from his suffering hometown in the country to the city of Johannesburg to find his wayward son. He finds out his son is guilty of killing a white man in a home invasion/robbery. The boy's two accomplices sell him out, but the son, instead of denying the charges, confesses as part of his attempt at repentance. He is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. His father finds the girl who is carrying the son's child and takes her back to the country with him away from the evils of the city.

The themes of forgiveness and inter-racial understanding are presented and amplified through the actions of the priest and the father of the white man killed by the son. Together, they work to improve the country they live in, even as many people and social issues attempt to degrade it and pull it apart. For love of the people of South Africa, these two overcome their differences and demonstrate that strife between social classes and races is no match for the power of love and respect.

Conclusion: Paton's use of language and plot development, as well as his interweaving of important issues into the story, make this book a must-read for anyone, but especially for those interested in finding out more regarding the historical inter-racial trouble in South Africa. In addition, the juxtaposition of strife and peace in the story provide a beautiful contrast which clearly demonstrates that life is more than what happens to you; it also about what you do when life happens. And that is a principle which transcends race, ethnicity, gender, religion, space, and time.