Cry, the Beloved Country
by Alan Paton
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton holds a well received rating of 3.87 out of 5, based on 47.4K reader ratings. First published in 1948. The book spans 316 pages.
About Cry, the Beloved Country
Cry, the Beloved Country, the most famous and important novel in South Africa’s history, was an immediate worldwide bestseller 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, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.The eminent literary critic Lewis Gannett wrote, “We have had many novels from statesmen and reformers, almost all bad; many novels from poets, almost all thin. In Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country the statesman, the poet and the novelist meet in a unique harmony.” 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.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Alan Paton |
| Published | 1948 |
| Pages | 316 |
| Genres | Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.87 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 47,389 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Cry, the Beloved Country?
Cry, the Beloved Country is categorized as Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is Cry, the Beloved Country worth reading?
Based on 47.4K reader ratings, Cry, the Beloved Country has an average score of 3.87 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Cry, the Beloved Country?
Cry, the Beloved Country has 316 pages.
Who wrote Cry, the Beloved Country?
Cry, the Beloved Country was written by Alan Paton. It was first published in 1948.
What is the ISBN for Cry, the Beloved Country?
The ISBN-13 for Cry, the Beloved Country is 9780743261950.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
