i've had this book on my shelf forever and just decided to read it because i had nothing else to read. it was very nice. i can't really talk much about books cause i hate analyzing them but i enjoyed reading it. it's set in south africa and follows a man's journey to the big city to find his son. it's about the struggles of the black people who live under white law. it's about trust, truth, and respect. it's about struggle and faith. it's about an old man who must do what he can to save the son that he's lost.
this old man is a Zulu pastor so this affects the way he views everything. his belief in Tixo, the Great Spirit, guides his life. although a lot of the book was religiously Christian, this one quote reminded me of Buddhist thought.
I have never thought that a Christian would be free of suffering, umfundisi. For our Lord suffered. And I come to believe that he suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering. For he knew that there is no life without suffering.
all beings suffer. if we can remember that everyone suffers and is just trying to find happiness then the world would be a better place. some people think they are the only ones who are suffering but everyone suffers. life is a constant struggle. some people climb out of it and do well for themselves, others are brought down by themselves and others.
in this story there are both kinds. what happens when people leave their town for the big city? what do they become? does their upbringing and faith override the corruption of the city or does the city break them?
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