Skip to content
Author
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Cry, the Beloved Country

By Alan Paton

Published in 1948

“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there, if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa. About you there is grass and bracken and you may hear the forlorn crying of the titihoya, one of the birds of the veld. Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them, the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand.”

Suggested by Tom Selsor, South Bend, Ind.

———-

Are there any first lines of books that have provoked, touched or inspired you? We invite you to send them in for consideration. Please include a photocopy of the book cover, publication date and opening paragraph and send them to:

Aleksandra Kostovski

Chicago Tribune

Attention: OPENING LINES

435 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60611