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Tag Archives: jm coetzee

Quick Review | ‘Disgrace’ – JM Coetzee

02 Monday Aug 2010

Posted by mywordlyobsessions in Book Review

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

1001 book list, 50 books a year, book review, David Lurie, disgrace, jm coetzee, South Africa


DisgraceDisgrace by J.M. Coetzee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Challenges: 1001 BYMRBYD, 50 Books A Year 2010 Challenge (no.41)

“After an impulsive affair with a student, David Lurie is forced to resign from the University where he teaches poetry. He retreats to his daughter’s isolated smallholding in the South African bush, where, for a time, the natural rhythms of the farm promise to harmonise his discordant life. But the balance of power in the country is slowly shifting, and a savage attack is to bring into relief all the fault lines in his life.”

Chosen to coincide with the South African 2010 World Cup, this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of reading Coetzee. Here the word ‘pleasure’ is not used in the usual way, because nothing was pleasurable or nice about this novel. It is used to indicate the enjoyment I derived from the dexterity and ruthlessness of Coetzee’s writing. It is a rare and wonderful thing to witness an author treating his creations like lifeless, worthless paper dolls; and this is what I felt David Lurie, his daughter and all the other characters really were. The theme of ‘disgrace’ runs heavily through the novel, where Coetzee analyses the varying degrees of the ‘fall’ with disturbing clarity.

Dogs feature as a major symbolic significance in Coetzee’s design, as time and time again we see humans reduced to a simple, crude set of impulses that serve to throw a wrench into centuries of ‘cultural grooming’ that have taught us to repress and ignore our base needs.

As I stated earlier, this isn’t a nice story. There were many moments where I read on in disbelief as Coetzee seemed to be almost ‘punishing’ his characters by putting them through things that I seemed unnecessary. I cared for these characters; for David and Lucy who see South Africa as their homeland, for Petrus who being a native South African and descendent of a once noble people who were exploited by White invaders now have to share their land with them. The story begins with David and his sexual transgression with a student, but this triggers a whole series of incidents that has a startling domino-effect on the course of everyone’s lives.

Unlike most stories, the stasis at the beginning with David and his respectable job, his daughter’s adventurous outing as a farmer in the bush is never returned to. The events lead to an undoing, the humiliation and the disgrace of the characters are permanent. All Coetzee leaves us with is a sense that at least the main character, David, has finally learned his lesson (eventually leaving his high and mighty ways, cowed by the terrible event that scars his daughter). The lesson here is deep and complex. It is to do with animal instincts, how none of us are above them, and how unchecked they can bring misfortune upon us and our loved ones. It is about karma, and having our sins return to visit us in the worst form possible: by having our children pay for them. It is about accepting the bitter pill of defeat and learning when to surrender to the powers that be, which Lucy teaches her wayward father by the extraordinary strength she displays in the face of her own personal disgrace.

“How humiliating,’ he says finally. ‘Such high hopes, and to end like this.”

“Yes, I agree, it is humiliating. But perhaps that is a good point to start from again. Perhaps that is what I must learn to accept. To start at ground level. With nothing. Not with nothing but. With nothing. No cards, no weapons, no property, no rights, no dignity.’

“Like a dog.”

“Yes, like a dog.”

This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, as the most powerful things are not those that were expressed, but rather the things that were left unsaid. With this book Coetzee has given me a glimpse of the complexity of South African history, the ethnic discord between its people and the awful reality that some actions really can leave a permanent mark on our lives.

View all my reviews >>

Related articles
  • JM Coetzee and Paul Auster letters to be published next spring (larkalong.wordpress.com)
  • Review: JM Coetzee: A Life in Writing (dailymaverick.co.za)
  • Disgrace: JM Coetzee humiliates himself in Johannesburg. Or does he? (dailymaverick.co.za)

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (26/07)

26 Monday Jul 2010

Posted by mywordlyobsessions in Meme

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

chinua achebe, ford madox ford, hubert selby jr, hunter s thompson, Its monday what are you reading?, jm coetzee, l. frank baum, meme, sara stockridge


It's Monday! What are you reading this week?

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

The past week has been a VERY busy one for me, and quite exciting. Apart from the fact that I’ve managed to read 3 books (yay!), I’ve also had the pleasure of receiving my first blog award by Readitin7days and join in the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the fabulous Jen @ Crazy for Books.

I had a great week meeting and talking to other book bloggers and getting into the spirit of the whole experience. I also had a chance to pick up on some fab books that I’ll hopefully be reading in the near future.  Without further ado, here is the round-up: 

BOOKS READ:
1.The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson
The Rum Diary
Finally finished this one. I don’t know why it took me so long, but there you go. Johnny Depp supposedly has the rights to this story (given to him by Hunter himself when he was alive) and is planning to shoot/ has already shot the film version. I wonder if we’ll see Depp as the good Doctor again?

2. Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart
This was a quick read. I loved the story and everything about it. Review is here.

3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)
Did you know this story was 110 years old? Being part of the ‘Rory Gilmore Challenge’ made it a fun read, but I also enjoyed being a little kid again. Anyone who hasn’t read this yet should do so, in fact read it with your kids if you have any. It makes it twice as enjoyable. Lots of moral lessons to be learned! I’ll be writing a review for this one soon.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. Disgrace – JM Coetzee
Disgrace

Again, this one got pushed to the back of the pile! I’m notorious for switching my reading preferences, but I promise I will read it for next week. PROMISE!!!

2. ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khalid Housseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns
An excellent book so far. My mother and I are joint reading it so I only get a peek in when I get the chance.

3. ‘The Good Soldier’ by Ford Madox Ford
The Good Soldier
Part of the 1001 book list, I picked this up by chance. I have only taken a quick peek so I have no idea what it beholds yet.

4. Hammer by Sara Stockridge
Hammer
This was a library pick. I just liked the cover! And I’m a sucker for anything based in and around ancient Victorian London. It’s a mystery/ suspense novel written by a British actress.

BOOKS TO READ:

1. ‘The Room’ by Hubert Selby Jr.
The Room

I know I said it would be ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’ last week, but after reading about ‘The Room’ I decided I would throw myself into the deepest, darkest, dankest of Selby’s novels to see if I survive the ordeal. It’s the kamikaze in me I suppose.

There we are. My grand week in a single post. Hope everyone else has had a great one, and I look forward to your thoughts.

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It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 19/07

19 Monday Jul 2010

Posted by mywordlyobsessions in Meme

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

chinua achebe, hubert selby jr, Its monday what are you reading?, jm coetzee, kazuo ishiguro, l. frank baum, nocturnes, rory gilmore reading list, rum diary, sylvia plath, winter trees


It's Monday! What are you reading this week?

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

Reading-wise things are finally beginning to pick up a bit. I’m spending far too much time on the blog and real-life seems to be a pain in the backside. There’s been a couple of inteesting reads and a nice little discount discovery I made the Stephen King’s ‘Under The Dome’ – only half price at WHSmith’s which is far better than the full £8.99. I recommend that UK book bloggers check it out as it’s supposed to be quite a cool read. My goodreads friends have recommended it to me. I’m also waiting on news from the arrival of ‘Last Exit To Brooklyn’ by Hubert Selby Jr., an author I’ve been dying to read ever since I heard about him.  

So, here’s the round-up for last week’s reads:

BOOKS READ:
1. Winter Trees by Sylvia Plath
Winter Trees
A very short collection of poems that were written during the last 9 months of Plath’s life. As you can imagine, not a happy read, but it certianly satisfied my need to exercise that part of the brain that deals with poetry. It took a while to get into her mindframe, but when I did it totally blew me away. Click here for review. 

2. Nocturnes – Kazuo Ishiguro
Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
Although the cover looks good (very inviting for a music lover like myself), I found this collection of five loosely interwoven stories a little lacking. I felt there was something missing. Maybe the short story isn’t for Ishiguro, he should stick to novels. Having said that, a concept like this would be wonderful to read from Haruki Murakami who also uses Jazz music as an element in his story-telling.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson
The Rum Diary
Currently on page 110 of this fictional account of Thompson’s journalistic experiences during his short stay in Puerto Rico in the late 1950’s. It was written before Fear and Loathing, and retains the linear writing style of your average reporter. But I’m glad to say I can spot flecks of the pioneering Gonzo style very now and then.

2. Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart
I’m halfway through this incredible read. It’s so engrossing that I stayed up till 2am reading till my eyes felt sore. I’ve never read anything as detailed as this about African tribes. Okonkwo is a very powerful character, and the tribe members are all very distinct from each other. The sense of community is very strong in Achebe’s story. Reading his work is like touching warm, fertile soil for the first time. 

3.Disgrace – JM Coetzee
Disgrace

Thanks to the Achebe, I haven’t had a chance to give this one much attention. But it will be finished today, so I’ll have lots to write about next week.

BOOKS TO READ:

1.‘Last Exit To Brooklyn’ by Hubert Selby Jr.
Last Exit to Brooklyn
I heard about Selby Jr. through the movie ‘Requiem For A Dream’. I didn’t know it was originally a novel by Selby, and after some research about him I was surprised that not much is know about this unique author. His ad hoc writing style and gritty, dark subject matters make Chuck Palahnuik look like a writer for YA. I quickly decided that Selby Jr. was the real deal, and I would not rest until I’ve read something by him.   

2. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)
And for something completely different! I’ve gotten tired of the ‘heavy’ books lately. I feel like a soldier with combat stress! This is on the Rory Gilmore Reading List, and surprisingly I’ve never read it before. Something warm and fuzzy for the child in me.

That’s this weeks round-up fellow book bloggers. I hope you all have a great reading week and if you have any suggestions for good reads I’d be glad to know your thoughts! I’m off to make the rounds!

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

12 Monday Jul 2010

Posted by mywordlyobsessions in Book Challenges, From Life..., Meme

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

audiobook, Character Crush, chinua achebe, disgrace, Dr. Gonzo, fear and loathing, hunter s thompson, jm coetzee, kazuo ishiguro, liz jensen, meme, nocturnes, puerto rico, rum diary, sylvia plath, the rapture


It's Monday! What are you reading this week?

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

Another slow one this week and I’ve gotten side-tracked a lot, but here’s an honest list of things finished/ pending and currently in the works:

BOOKS READ:
1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream – Hunter S. Thompson
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Savoured every last word of this insane epic. Loved it so much that I think I’ve been sitting and re-reading choice paragraphs and committing them to memory. Click here to read my review, and check out my ‘Character Crush’ of the week! 

2. The Rapture (Audiobook) – Liz Jensen 
The Rapture (unabridged audio book)
Finally finished the audiobook version of this dystopian/ environmental/ Armageddon themed book that has a healthy dash of religious fanaticism thrown in for good measure. Click here for my review.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson
The Rum Diary
Currently on page 50 of this fictional account of Thompson’s journalistic experiences during his short stay in Puerto Rico in the late 1950’s. It was written before Fear and Loathing, and retains the linear writing style of your average reporter. But I’m glad to say I can spot flecks of the pioneering Gonzo style very now and then.  

2. Winter Trees – Sylvia Plath
 Winter Trees
This is where I start to deviate from last weeks reading plans. I felt a dire need for some poetry, so I managed to pick up this very slim (but seriously dense) book of Plath’s poems. Written towards the last 9 months of her life, they evoke the emotional turmoil for a woman trapped in a loveless marriage. She writes like a trapped beast. Each word a cutting claw, a razor tooth. I feel disdain for Ted Hughes…

BOOKS TO READ:

1. Nocturnes – Kazuo Ishiguro
Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
Not the promised Murakami, but still a Japanese author nonetheless. I have been desperate to get my hands on Nocturnes ever since ‘A Pale View of Hills’. Haven’t started it yet, but I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.

2.Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart
I have yet to read any Achebe, and I was seduced by ‘Things Fall Apart’ at my local library. Now that the world cup is on I wanted to read some African Literature. Praise for the book goes like this: “The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down” – Nelson Mandela. 

3.Disgrace – JM Coetzee
Disgrace

Again, another book with a setting in South Africa, this time by Coetzee, another first time read. This novel won the Booker Prize in 1999. Took a sneak peek and I think it’s marvellous. 

That’s it for this week folks. Would love to know what you think of my choices.

 

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