Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
by Jenners • 07/24/2010 • 3 Stars, C Authors, D Titles, Fiction, Historical, Literary • 20 Comments
A meme concept by That’s A Novel Idea
1 book I read―Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
2 words that describe the book―Literary Fiction
3 setting where the book took place or characters I met
- Setting: South Africa, 1990s
- David Lurie is a twice-divorced professor whose affair with a student leaves him without a job. Disgraced (but unrepentant), he moves in with his daughter Lucy on her farm in an attempt to refocus his life and rekindle his relationship with Lucy. However, an act of violence drives a wedge between David and Lucy that seems impossible to surmount.
- Lucy is David’s daughter who lives by herself on a small farm. Although she welcomes her father into her home, she is independent and stubborn–unwilling to listen to his pleas to seek an easier life for herself. Her need to stay on the farm and live her life as she wants to both perplexes and impresses David. However, after the violent incident, Lucy’s reactions differ so completely from David’s that their relationship seems to be strained beyond repair.
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- I disliked almost everything about the character of David Lurie. Quite frankly, he came across as an arrogant, stubborn, lecherous man. His interactions with women repulsed me, and I was unable to be very sympathetic to him throughout the book. Although he seems to be trying his hardest to make amends for what he did wrong, I just could not overcome my dislike of him.
- I disliked that I didn’t have enough knowledge or perspective on the country of South Africa to fully grasp the nuances of this book. I suspect that this book would have much more meaning and resonance if I was better informed about South Africa and its complicated racial history. (The book is set in post-apartheid South Africa.) For example, it was particularly difficult for me to understand Lucy’s motivations and decisions toward the end of the book.
- I liked the character of Bev Shaw, a woman who works in an animal clinic near Lucy’s farm. Her strength and realism impressed me (at least until she began having an affair with David … then my opinion of her slipped a bit). But actually I may not like her character so much as I like the writing about her work at the animal clinic. When Coetzee was describing the treatment of animals by the local people and how Bev tried to give them dignity in their deaths, it was one of the few times I was moved by Coetzee’s writing.
- I disliked that this book was only 216 pages but took me quite a long time to finish. I really struggled with this book and forced myself to finish it. Much of the problem was that the characters did not involve me emotionally, and I felt out of touch with the issues and politics of the book. It felt to me like a book I would do better reading in a classroom situation or with a person knowledgeable about the history and dynamics of South Africa.
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 3 stars. I’m sure the book deserves more, but my personal reading experience was not a good one. To be honest, I didn’t like the book, but I place the blame more on my own lack of knowledge than on the book. The author is quite renowned and admired for his writing, but, honestly, this book didn’t work for me on that level either. Perhaps if you are more informed and knowledgeable about South Africa, this book might work better for you. It really wasn’t my cup of tea.
The Whys and Wheres: I got this book to read for my Awesome Authors Challenge because I’d seen the author’s name around quite a bit as an Important Author. He did receive a Novel Prize for Literature at one point, although not for this book. However, Disgrace was awarded the Booker Prize. I received my copy from Paperback Swap.
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Another author I need to try, but this one doesn't appeal to me.
Some friends recommended this book to me recently but I have been very apprehensive before buying it. Good thing I didn't.. May be I ll read it from the lib.
How r u Jenners? Long time !
I've had similar experiences, where I think I should like a book more than I do. But I think it's important to be honest about how you actually felt, not about how you thought you should feel.
A friend who really loves Coetzee (but hadn't read this book) gave me Disgrace for my birthday and I hated it. Like you, I feel like I don't have enough understanding of the history of South Africa to fully grasp the nuances of this book, but I also had a really hard time with Lucy's motivations, which I actually chalked up to plain old sexism (on the author's part, not mine!). I could say more, but I don't want to spoil the story for anyone else who might want to read it. I can't say I'll be seeking out Coetzee in the future, anyway, especially given Jackie's comment above!
Oh and I'm also surprised you gave it three stars! (I'd only give it one!)
The extent of my knowledge on South Africa comes from the Alexander McCall Smith novels and they actually take place in Botswana instead.
I haven't read anything by this author and from your review I don't think I'd enjoy this book either.
I enjoyed Disgrace, precisely because I have a history teacher who was fascinated with South Africa and a friend who was born there. As a result, I learned a lot from them, and inherited the fascination. I'm also an English honors student still in high school, so I've used techniques like reading between the lines and picking apart books more recently than I'd assume most married adults would. So I think you're definitely right in that it's a hard read without necessary context.
David Lurie grew less and less likeable throughout the book to me. I tend to start optimistic about protagonists, but he was not somebody I liked at the end.
I have one of the author's books on my shelf that my husband read for a college lit class. It's one of those that I never seem to get around to.
I suppose not every book can be a winner but it is awful when you get to the end not having enjoyed the story.
Now don't you go blaming yourself. I would imagine that most of us aren't all that well-versed in South African history, and most of us aren't going to fall in love with a character like that. I probably shouldn't be surprised that this won the Booker though…
I'm sorry you wasted your time with reading a book that didn't do it for you. South Africa is a difficult subject to be knowledgeable about. I tried listening to a book and found I was more than I could deal with. Thanks for your honesty.
I'd probably only like the part about the animal clinic too *feeding tomato Jenners threw at me earlier to the animals*
Coetzee is one of those authors that I feel like I should read but never have. He intimidates me. I perfer Alan Paton for books on South Africa.
I love how you blamed yourself for not liking the book! Yes, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!! But from your description of the characters, I would not like it also…
Since I don't know much about South Africa either, I think I'll skip this one.
I had a similar experience with another book by Coetzee but I chalked it up to my failings to "get" what the author was intending. I read it because of the accolades Coetzee tends to garner but it left me wondering again what I was missing that the awards committees see. Rather frustrating.
Wow, I am surprised you even gave it a three. When you can't connect with the characters, it's difficult to get into the book. It's as if you were just exercising your eyes and not engaging your heart. Maybe your next read will be better.
Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy this one – I loved it! I guess I've read quite a few books about South Africa and so am well aware of the history of the country. I found the book grippping and easy to read, but if you struggled with this one then I recommend avoiding all his other books – they are much more complex and experimental.
At least you can cross a few books off your reading list
Sorry you didn't get into the book more and enjoy it. Sometimes books like these really do require some knowledge about something else (in this case South Africa and it's culture and history) to truly appreciate it. I've not read it but think I need a primer on South Africa first. This would be a great one to discuss with a book club if one of the members had that needed knowledge and could share with everyone else.
This book sounds interesting, though David Lurie does sound like an unlikeable character.
Sorry you didnt enjoy it more, thanks for the honest review.
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