Why a Booktrail?
Mid 20th C: This book taught us a lot about South Africa and the westernized “help” that white people think it needs. We love this country and want, in fact, need to go more!
Cry, the Beloved Country
What you need to know before your trail
The preface states that one of the most important characters in the book was South Africa itself.
This is the novel which will give you a glimpse of Apartheid South Africa in all its forms and across all of society from the rich and powerful to the poor farm workers who are battling to save their land from neglect and abuse.
There are many themes and the overall picture when all piece of the puzzle are put together forms a picture of a country in a bit of a mess – there are so many different races, languages, belief systems, and classes, and then on top of this there is apartheid, where to quote George Orwell – ‘everyone is equal but some are more equal than others’ Written in the 1940s but with a message that we must never forget
Travel Guide
South Africa is a fascinating place and if you think you know the ‘story’ of apartheid then this will give a fresh look of something that the world must surely remember never to let happen again.
The book is almost like Alan Paton is giving a honorary speech to and about his homeland. People there are struggling and dealing with situations of racial intolerance that few of us can really understand and it makes for some interesting and horrific realisation of what really went on.
The country is the main character here and reveals its many facets and sides and is one that will make you want to go to or find out more about as she seems such a rich and passionate country in so many ways.
As for the language of the country – The language of Afrikaans is described as a simplified version of the language of Holland. Afrikaans and English are the two official languages of the Union of South Africa. Linguistically rich as well then!
Where Next?
