Books

First UK edition, first impression, signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Alan Paton, 20/2/52". The UK edition was preceded slightly by the US edition; signed copies of either are rare. Paton was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. He published Cry, the Beloved Country, just months before the election of the right-wing National Party and the subsequent formal establishment of apartheid. "I had an eye on my fellow white South Africans and white Americans when I wrote the book", said Paton, "It wasn't a book written for the right or the middle or the left. I hoped to influence my fellow whites" (quoted in New York Times obituary). It met with glowing reviews and Orville Prescott praised it as "a beautiful and profoundly moving story, a story steeped in sadness and grief but radiant with hope and compassion" (ibid.). In tandem with his writing, Paton co-founded what would become the Liberal Party of South Africa and was a vocal campaigner for peaceful opposition to apartheid. His international fame after the success of Cry, the Beloved Country and his willingness to criticize the South African government saw his passport confiscated for a decade and his family forced to flee from police on multiple occasions. Octavo. Original tan cloth, spine and front cover lettered in brown. With dust jacket. Neat ownership inscription of one "C. F. Saunders" on front free endpaper. Spine cocked, slight marks at head, a few spots to top edge; jacket unclipped, small loss to ends of sunned spine panel, corners chipped, a few marks, short closed tear to head of creased rear panel: a near-fine copy in very good jacket. .

Cry, the Beloved Country is a profound and moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his journey to a city in search of his missing son. Set in South Africa, it vividly captures the fervor and turmoil of a crumbling society, delving deep into themes of racial injustice, forgiveness, and redemption.