Cry, The Beloved Country - Alan Paton

Summary: An immediate worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1948, Alan Paton's impassioned novel about a black man's country under white man's law is a work of searing beauty. Cry, the Beloved Country is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its lyricism, unforgettable for character and incident, Cry, the Beloved Country is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man. (Summary from the back of the book and image from Powells.com)

My Review: This book had many great themes about redemption, hate/love, sin, history, race, language, learning, to name a few. It was a nice look into South African history although it stops short because of the date it was finished--the author couldn't know how things would take a turn for the worst. The characters and the outcomes of their decisions were painted perfectly true to life. They have vices, moments of weakness, self indulgence, and internal torment and also heart-warming compassion and charity.

There are two quotes I felt exceptionally compelling and sum up the message of the book nicely:
"In the deserted harbour there is yet water that laps against the quays. In the dark and silent forest there is a leaf that falls. Behind the polished panelling the white ant eats away the wood. Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools." page 224
and
"I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they turn to loving they will find we are turned to hating. Oh, the grave and sombre words." page 311

What I couldn't get past was the punctuation--or the lack thereof. Dialogue punctuation is too important not to use...at all. For me that really took away from the book. I disliked having to go back and count the number of lines above to figure out who was saying what after a while. Annoying. It was a one time read, one I'm glad I read.

Rating: 3.5 stars The punctuation lowered this rating, otherwise it would probably be 4.5.

In a phrase: A realistic history of the people of South Africa.