Reviews

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

siggerella's review against another edition

3.0

Masterful writing; extremely hard to read subject matter. As a reader, I was torn between utter disgust at the main character, David Lurie, and awe at Coetzee’s skill in writing characters that embody the complexity of post-apartheid (and, more generally, post-conflict) life. A part of me was compelled to finish this book; another part of me wanted to avert my eyes from the volatility and turmoil that fills the plot. I can’t say I enjoyed this novel but I will admit to admiring it.

dmsehnert's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

this book has been on my to-read list for a few years now and i’m eager to read more coetzee in the future!

whew. incredibly heavy. lots of complexities relating to sexual violence, abuses of power, and generational divides - all underneath the backdrop of a post—apartheid South Africa. 

poor, poor lucy. i’m devastated that we don’t know the rest of her story - i hope she was able to find some peace.

the following lines made me nearly drop my book and i think will haunt me for the rest of my life:

“you are a man, you ought to know. when you have sex with someone strange - when you trap her, hold her down, get her under you, put all your weight on her - isn’t it a bit like killing? pushing the knife in; exiting afterwards. leaving the body covered in blood - doesn’t it feel like murder, like getting away with murder?” 

maruijuana's review

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

byp's review against another edition

4.0

I've read that Coetzee is really interested in animal rights; he thinks that in 50 years we will view the way we currently treat animals in the same way we view slavery, that it will be a source of shame. This book's depiction of animal rights is interesting, I think, even though it's hard to read.

abisam's review against another edition

challenging dark tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

wonderful book but it is so terribly dark and disturbing 

stelhan's review against another edition

2.0

Just struggling to understand the purpose of the author when writing this book

privileged_loitering's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

feralwraith's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jess_mango's review against another edition

5.0

Do not read this book if you are looking for a happy, uplifting read...Disgrace is excellent but depressing (who could've guessed from the title! ;) ) The book takes place in South Africa and the protaganist is a 50-something professor who resigns from his job after his sexual harassmet and seduction of one of his students is discovered. The professor then moves to the country to live with his daughter and rediscover himself.

A short, excellent read that is very worthy of the Booker prize that it won!

lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition

3.0

This book was fine. Very well written but the story itself was kind of meh. Honestly want to read more about his daughter as opposed to the main character.