Alan Paton's novel is widely regarded as a source of hope and endurance amid pain and significant suffering. As The Scandal of Reading continues season 3's theme about the Fruits of the Spirit, Claude Atcho interviews author S.D. Smith, who arrived in South Africa when Mandela was released from prison and left when he became president. S.D. Smith shares his perspective on Paton's work having firsthand experience of life in South Africa and how the book influenced his formation. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Information on Claude Atcho: Claude is the Vicar (Planting Pastor) for the Charlottesville church plant of the Diocese of Christ Our Hope, ACNA.  Previously, Claude lived in Memphis, TN where he served as pastor of a multi-ethnic church, Fellowship Memphis. He's the author of Reading Black Books: How African-American Literature Can Make Our Faith More Whole and Just, forthcoming from Brazos Press in Summer 2022. Information on S.D. Smith: S. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million-selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. He is also the author of the madcap Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read as well as a fantasy adventure novel co-authored with his son, Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.” Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”  S. D. Smith lives in Grandview, West Virginia with his wife and four kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices