Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country

by Harold Bloom (Introduction), Neil Heims

- Comprehensive reading and study guides for some of the world's most important literary masterpieces
- Concise critical excerpts provide a scholarly overview of each work
- "The Story Behind the Story" details the conditions under which the work was written
- Each book includes a biographical sketch of the author, a descriptive list of characters, an extensive summary and analysis, and an annotated bibliography

Genres: Fiction, Classics

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Trina Council · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give five stars to any book, but this one deserves it. Deep, plaintive, and quietly emotional, this is a book that will have you in its grips without your realizing it.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a Zulu pastor's search for his lost son in the big city. Beautifully written, leaves memories of lyrical prose.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifuly told tale of forgiveness and redemption in the middle of the south african apartheid movement. Rich characters and lyrical narrative. One of my favorite books.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The personal tragedies of two men are greatly overshadowed by the troubles of a nation. Great book!

[Joel Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

The city which consumes as no one returns. Gertrude went to the city and never returned. Absalom Kumalo follows in search of Gertrude and learns that Gertrude has taken a new life. Absalom also marries. Cry the beloved Country is one of the best and interesting books warning everyone the dangers and temptations in any big city, especially Johannesburg.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 1/3 was clean, then I lost interest and stopped reading. It wasn't bad, I just had no interest in it.

[Ken]

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[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. I read the story of this father searching for his son over and over again. I read it aloud with my mother when I was in college. Such an outstanding book!