Comments on: Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee

By: mee

mee — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:19:12 +0000

Thanks for dropping by Novel! I just re-read my review and was reminded how good the book was. The racism depicted in the novel felt surprisingly similar with what happened in my birth country, so it did strike a chord for me. Not many books even touch on the issue.

By: Novel Insights

Novel Insights — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:51:20 +0000

I had the same response – loved the straightforward style – didn’t love the bits about Byron and Teresa – I thought it went a bit off tangent there. I’m sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with racism when you were a teenager – how shameful that people can behave like that.

Great review!
.-= [Novel Insights´s last blog: Death in Venice by Thomas Mann] =-.

By: 2009 In Review | Books of Mee

2009 In Review | Books of Mee — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:42:52 +0000

[...] Disgrace by J M Coetzee (Winner 1999) [...]

By: Orbis Terrarum Wrap-up | Books of Mee

Orbis Terrarum Wrap-up | Books of Mee — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:05:29 +0000

[...] Africa Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee (finished 06/09, rating [...]

By: Bookworms Carnival: A Great List of Africa Book Recommendations | Maw Books

Bookworms Carnival: A Great List of Africa Book Recommendations | Maw Books — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:10:13 +0000

[...] Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee reviewed by Mee at Books of Mee. The racial tension in South Africa is the topic of this book and Mee says, “As most racism, it usually occurs in more ‘uneducated’ places by ‘uneducated’ people. Not in the city where everybody is supposed to be smart and sophisticated, no. It happens in the corners of the town, in back suburbs, behind bushes and shadows. I should know. I experienced extreme racism for many years of my teenage life — the problem that is unconsciously stuck with you to the bone, the matter of ‘my people’ against ‘your people’ — all too familiar elements that made me queasy. [...]

By: mee

mee — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:53:33 +0000

Jenny: Yea I was actually quite surprised to find that as a Booker winner book it was easy to read. It’s great because we can then concentrate more on the themes and issues it brings about.

Bellezza: And I believe that it gives a dash of hope at the end.

By: Bellezza

Bellezza — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:23:55 +0000

“Acceptance as the solution” sounds like a very worthy conclusion!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:15:34 +0000

I assumed exactly the same as Jackie! That’s actually why I’ve never picked up any Coetzee, because of all the awards he’s gotten, and I assumed he’d be too “literary”. But this sounds so interesting! I want to read it now.

By: mee

mee — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:50:05 +0000

Jackie: Yes I probably assumed that too before I read it, but I read through the first few pages quickly and found it flowing, so I continued. I hope you pick it up soon. I really would like to hear what you think about it.

Paperback_Reader: It’s great to hear that my review gave you the push! :)

By: Paperback_Reader

Paperback_Reader — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:19:07 +0000

*requested.