Coetzee’s writing is absolutely haunting and I loved the sparse style. The outrage and criticism this book recieved only prove how South Africa is still feeling the ramifications of Apartheid.

However, before one judges Coetzee as being racist or pro-Apartheid one should really read into the literary allusions that the protagonist uses. Lurie views himself as the byronic hero yet Coetzee shows that the world has no need for this romanticism. Sure, he depicts a horrible man who views post-Apartheid Africa as horrible but look at how closely his trial mirrors the trial of ex-prime minister Botha. Lurie is obviously meant to symbolize the Apartheid era and as the end shows that era is dying out. Yet Coetzee does bring up disturbing issues about the future of South Africa and particularly of black people but that what makes the novel so interesting. There is no clear black and white answer and the book’s impact indicates just that.

Mixed feelings about this one. The main character is an idiot, but is portrayed in a way that you can somehow walk his shoes. I mean I’m not middle-aged, I’m not even a man… but I could sometimes sympathize with the disgraced-lecturer. As for his daughter: even though she suffers the main blow I simply couldn’t care less for her, I found her so irritating. Interesting to go through the reviews at Amazon.co.uk, some people read a lot into this book… well I’m not one of them. After reading this one I was so surprised to learn Coetzee is a Nobel laureate writer.. I might try another of his novels in the future.

The writing of J. M. Coetzee is extraordinary, as he really puts the reader inside his world. This book leaves the reader thinking, “What would I do in this situation?” It is a book that makes more sense if one knows about the atmosphere of South Africa (or so I’ve been told). “Disgrace,” like all Coetzee work, is a fantasic read.

just finished 100 pages. it’s ok. lets see how the rest of the book turns out.

Student liasons, aging restless passion, debauchery…a pultizer prise winner….lets see how deep the rabit hole goes.