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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This was really excellent. It was something I did not enjoy at all over of the first 100+ pages but was fully engrossed by the end. Great writing. I'll leave the plot synopsis to others.
Does Coetzee know how people talk to each other because this sure as hell ain’t it. The extreme level of discomfort created when reading this novel combined with the most unlikeable main character in the history of literature also don’t help the like ability of this novel.
Top-notch writing from JMC. This man can fit in so many layers of emotional complexity and nuances beautifully and smoothly in a book which isn't voluminous at all, is bizarre. The lust, guilt, redemption, despair, forgiveness and acceptance, this dude has (in my humble opinion) nailed it.
an amazing book - the themes, the writing, the plot. a page turner for sure, but also quite thought provoking. would make a great book club book. definitely worth all the praise it received.
Wow, what an intense book. i love Coetzee's style of writing - clear and precise and evocative. he writes about traumatic events and terrible times without any melodrama, just allowing the description and the emotion to speak for itself.
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There is something of a fever dream about this novel. I don’t know a lot about South Africa and have never been there but the writer seems to manage to cover the political and social background through interactions between the characters. Provokes thought around the experience of disgrace.
#disgrace #jmcoetzee #southafrica #bookstagram #justread #fiction #libbyapp #prizewinner #literature #africa
#disgrace #jmcoetzee #southafrica #bookstagram #justread #fiction #libbyapp #prizewinner #literature #africa
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had mixed feelings about this one. There is no denying that Coetzee’s writing is brilliant and that Disgrace boasts a compelling story and set of characters. What I found challenging was having to read through the eyes of a protagonist who I loathed and despised. I felt very little empathy for David Lurie. The way he spoke about women, about the young university student he raped, about his own daughter, was unpleasant at the very least. Even when David did experience karmic retributions (of which there were several, I’d say) I still couldn’t bring myself to care, or feel sorry for him. And maybe that was the point? Anyways, this novel stirred up some strong feelings in me and while I wasn’t “enjoying” the read I would say I was engrossed. The insights into the dynamics of post-apartheid South Africa were particularly interesting, especially in context with what happens to David’s daughter, in relation to his own disgraceful acts.