"Cry, the Beloved Country" is a novel by Alan Paton set in South Africa during the era of apartheid. It tells the story of Stephen Kumalo, a black priest from a rural village who travels to Johannesburg to find his son, Absalom, who has been accused of murder. The novel explores themes of racial injustice, social dislocation, and the struggle for redemption. The narrative highlights the deep divisions in South African society and the impact of urbanization on traditional communities. Through Kumalo's journey, the book emphasizes the importance of compassion, understanding, and the need for reconciliation in a fractured nation.