Cry, the Beloved Country

How do you rate a classic novel of all time, that is well read, but the narrator gets the names wrong?

"Sophiatown" is NOT promounced SOfiah-town, but so-FIRE-town.

"Veld" is pronounced felt (as in heartfelt).

These words occur often throughout the novel, and every time they are used I wince. Do these audiobook publishers do NO RESEARCH at all? Is it really OK to mangle the Afrikaans quotes so badly that one has to burst out laughing? Is it OK to have a phony accent that makes a South African cringe? I have lived in Johannesburg all my life and I never heard anyone speaking like the white man from the reformatory.

So, Michael York's narration skill gets 5, but subtract 2 for bad research. The story gets 5+, and is worth listening to. It's a great novel. Unfortunately a lot of what Alan Paton wrote in 1948 is still applicable 60 years later. SA is now a democracy, and Apartheid is no longer law, but the crime in Johannesburg is still just as bad, and there are still squatter settlements and poor people being exploited.

What a great audio book. The narrator is fabulous but it is the material - the book itself - that is so timely and timeless. I am just starting to work in Mozambique over the last four years in a small NGO and my travel always take me through South Africa. This book is just as timely now as then, I'm sure. I see the hopes and the fears of both white and black very evident in so much of what once was colonial Africa and now the struggling-to-emerge modern Africa. It is still as portrayed in this classic work.

We have adopted a little Mozambican daughter who has come to the US to grow up with us in America. This book will go into a growing collection of works that I will one day share with her as she grows older to help her understand what was, what is, and what is possible in her world.

First: Michael York's narration is spectacular. I have begun reading this novel many times (didn't read it in high school -- though it was required!)but was never able to move past the first chapter. Listening to York's voicing of the characters, especially the 'character' of the land of South Africa, was captivating. Second: The beauty and lyricism of Paton's writing, reflect the simple, honest truth of the characters and the times they are living through. York's narration sets a perfect tempo and is nuanced and evocative. LISTEN TO THIS BOOK -- It is a classic that has been brought to life for me and it will remain indelibly imprinted in my heart; on yours, also, is my wish. Go well.

truly one of the best books I have ever read. marvelous narrator. the power of the writing is such that the most ordinary scene is elevated to a level of deep meaning. makes modern works which have recieved great New York Times reviews seem absolutely shallow and poorly written when compared to this masterpiece. Cry the Beloved Country makes it clear how great and transcendent the best literature can be.

This is a truly wonderful book, made better by the excellent reading voice. An intense and plausible story, where virtue is seen in both black and white, and the shortcomings of man are also seen in black and white. Despite being 50 years old the story is still highly relevant. The descriptions of South Africa make it clear that it is both worthy of being called beloved and alas, also worthy of crying over....

I first read this book in high school. I entered it uninterested and slightly rebellious. But Paton drew me in. At times I couldn't follow what was going on, I was a mere 17. But years later, I remember this book. This is a book that demands a second visit and a renewed look at man's treatment of man.

The more things change the more it stays the same. I live in Johannesburg, I am a minister of religion, I am an Afrikaner and a Policeman. This book deeply moved me. Something resonates with my soul as I see so much of this pre-Apartheid world still alive in the Johannesburg of today. I am astonished that the places (suburbs, townships, shacks, even the Midlands of Kwa-Zulu Natal) as painted by Alan Paton are so easily recognised. It felt as if I walked into the book… a book that was banned by the then Apartheid government.

The story is gripping and lavishly beautiful. Paton sketches the contrasts of South Africa and the opinions of the different racial groups towards living together so accurate that the book has the feel of a documentary on the one hand, but driven by a deeply moving story arranged into three acts which can be summarised like this, act 1: the prodigal son goes to the forbidden place and his father goes in search of him act 2: what if the son wants to return, but he cannot because he is corrupted? ; act 3: a loss of innocence or an opportunity to renew.

I am stunned as how Paton draws you in, let you bleed emotionally with Mfundisi (Reverend) Stephen Khumalo and his ‘opposite,’ James Jarvis. I am amazed how love and understanding is born out of hate. Yet, Paton doesn’t give easy answers – even political answers – to a country deep in pain, but let you cry out with him, “Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika!” (God save Africa!). To say the least, this is heavy and like the chief of Ixopo I am not sure if we as South Africans have the answer yet. But miracles do happen in the same way that the darkest clouds bring the best rain.

This book comes greatly recommended. Everybody should listen or read it at least once in their life. It is also deeply religious and speaks to the soul. It is indeed heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time.

The British actor, Michael York reads this story with so much pathos; it feels like an act of love. He grips you and doesn’t let you go. I will therefore forgive him his terrible Zulu and Afrikaans pronunciations… completely.

If you don’t care to let the tears roll and be gay at the beauty of new and true human relationships, this book is for you!

I read this book when it first came out, and listened to it on audio recently. It moved me just as much now as it did then. The narrator is easily understood and makes the occasional Zulu words sound easy.

Best audio book I've listened to. I loved the reading and I loved the story. Heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I only listened to this book because it was an Oprah book pick. I?m glad I did. The story weaves back and forth and really comes together at the end. You see the story of two families at opposing ends of the same situation and at opposite ends of South African societal privilege. It sounded like an older recording, but was still palatable.