Coetzee is a genius.

I have read books by Coetzee that I enjoyed more. I found this novel to be too sparse and its main character too unsympathetic.

Arrived yesterday - many thanks for the trade wyyy.

Loved the postcard - I think the donkey's had one too many daiquiris. Can be the only reason for the flowers and the funky sun hat on its head.

The book's about to go around the world; I might send the donkey, too - just to sober it up!

Ring participants:

tantan (Queensland, Australia)
tania-in-nc (North Carolina, USA)
NeedSun (Ontario, Canada) [skipped]
blurbren (Malaysia) [skipped]
lady-anglophile (Kuwait) [skipped]
jazz-ee2 (England)
dodau (England)
Jenatleisure (England) <----
Lillyanna (Spain)
dospescados (USA)
fushmush (New South Wales, Australia)
peggysmum (Australian Capital Territory, Australia)

Blurb:
"In a south Africa turned by war, Michael K. sets out to take his ailing mother back to her rural home. On the way there she dies, leaving him alone in an anarchic world of brutal roving armies. Imprisoned, Michael is unable to bear confinement and escapes, determined to live with dignity. This life affirming novel goes to the center of human experience-the need for an interior, spiritual life; for some connections to the world in which we live; and for purity of vision. "

An unusual book. Typically restrained in language. Coetzee writes with a poet's precision.

A small book at 184 pages, and divided into 3 parts, the last only a few pages. The first part is largley Michael K's interior monologue, the second the journal-like entries of a doctor, and the last Michael K again.

Michael is alienated from people by a physical handicap. He is unloved by his mother and rejected by most people. Unable to communicate effectively, he prefers his own company; taking this to extremes. He is seen as a mystic by some and a vagrant by others. He an object of derision, pity and charity in turn; and it is the latter he hates the most.

What does Michael seek? Could it be dignity rather than love?

Off to tantan, in beautiful Queensland.

Received thanks to peggysmum. Great postcard, too!

I didn't realise I'd had this so long!

I have now started it, and it's my first Coetzee, and I'm quite enjoying it. This won't take me long to finish, and then it shall continue on its way.

This was the first time I'd read Coetzee, and I really enjoyed the experience. Other than that I don't really have much to add to what's already been said above.

This will be heading off to tania-in-nc as soon as I have an address.

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Edit 29th July, 2005: Posted to tania-in-nc today via airmail.

This safely arrived this afternoon. Thanks for sending it on! Shall read it shortly.

Update: August 7th, 2005 -- This will be read after my current read, Tears of the Moon by Di Morissey, c. 1995.

--

I read this book in two days. I have to say that I was fascinated with Michael's ties to the land and how he nurtured those pumpkins, how he built his shelter time and again after the rains. How he kept pushing against the blows of life.

I am not an English major at all, just a curious being on this planet. I was digging on the net to find these interesting lectures on the book. Perhaps they will be useful for looking at to clearing up some questions.


-- both needsun & blurbren asked to be skipped

-- as did lady-anglophile

9/27/05 - sending to jazz-ee2

Wow, I can't believe this came so quickly - I've not finished Rites of Passage yet! I've not read a Coetzee yet, so I am looking forward to starting it after Golding's book.
Thanks tantan & tania-in-nc!

This is my first experience of Coetzee too, and certainly one I will repeat - I really liked this book. It reminded me of Albert Camus's 'L'Etranger' (The Stranger). Deceptively simple, it traces Michael K's journey across a turbulent South Africa towards a simple peaceful life. I would love to discuss this book, especially the end - maybe I will do one day!

To send to dodau.

Arrived today. Next to be read, probably tomorrow

Sometimes I don't understand the criteria that the major literature prizes go by. Surely it's all very well awarding it to nobel books with worthwhile plots but how many people read them. I believe we should support the publication of less popular books but I don't understand why reader figures don't count as something. Anyway this was a very worthy book about a man who starves himself after his mother dies.

RELEASE NOTES:

sorry this arrived and I didnt have any computer access.