A good friend of mine gave me a copy of this book around 2004 and it has been one of my favorites ever since. Something about it is just so haunting and beautiful at the same time.
This copy I read was actually floating around my parent's house for many years and I finally got around to reading it. Confronting is how I would describe it one word, definitely a book you will remember after reading. Thanks for your comment Mr. Geoff!
Thank you for your sensitive and considered review. As you say, power relationships are central to the book. Given the time and place in which it is set--South Africa shortly after the fall of apartheid, one must also, and perhaps primarily, read it as a political book, Similar to Lurie's unapologetic attitude, most white South Africans remained unapologetic about apartheid. And often, their response to the changed political scene was emigration. Many, myself included, found the portrayal of the black men as rapists problematical, given that this is one of the worst stereotypes perpetuated by the dominant white culture. Apartheid was diabolical, not only in the way it subjugated blacks systematically on every level of existence, but also in the way it devalued blacks as human beings.
Hey Barbara. I've been thinking about this recently (as well as Conrad's 'Heart Of Darkness'). I don't mind if some people or even a group are portrayed in a negative light as long as it's not to show the other group is pure and better. The blacks in both these books were shown in a 'savage' light but the whites were arguably worse in terms of moral decisions. In the end, humans can be incredibly cruel and it's especially important to remember that for the people that hold that 'power'. Thanks for your comment!
Just watched the movie with Malkovich. With each stupid, passive decision or comment or behavior of Lucy, I was screaming at her through my tv screen. Her attitude was “It’s just the way it is.” I was honestly disgusted with her character by the end of the movie.
Hey SweetGirl. Yeah definitely one of those works of art without any redeeming characters. Combine that with the continual victimhood status (which is understandable in some part) and it makes for a disturbing and frustrating read/watch.
@@MereMortalsBookReviews You gave it a 6.5 out of 10, am I supposed to think you liked or justly appreciated the book? Not to mention the many bits in the video where you say you found it "very very uncomfortable" to read at various points. It surprises me because, I think your review is nice, somewhat balanced and thoughtful, you recognise the novel is full of extreme sensitive topics receiving good treatment by Coetzee, you recognise it is useful and very well written. I just don't understand how you ended up being so miserable giving it a 6.5 out of 10. Your final mark is incoherent with your own review. What is it that you don't understand you ask me? You disclose the answer halfway through the video: you simply don't seem to understand the power dynamics between the characters, which is the central topic of the book and the reason why Coetzee wrote it I think. Maybe you are a bit of a "metooist" male feminist or something like that, I wouldnt really know. Try read it again in 10 years time, I am sure you'll read it with very different eyes
Maaaaate. 6.5/10 means I liked it more than I disliked it. I appreciate the elaboration, much easier to understand where you are coming from. I'm not sure being uncomfortable with rape and euthanasia makes me a male feminist any more than someone being comfortable with it would make them a psychopathic sadist. I do reread books every now and then so maybe I will appreciate it more in the future, it's happened before. All the best, Kyrin 😁
At the very end..the crippled dog, by euthanasia, had a ‘state of grace’, insofar as in the post secular world, death is a great kindness? Funnily enough, I brought this book to my library book club...and on the night of, I was the only one who read it!😂😂😭😭🙄🥃🥃🥃😷
I really liked your review. I liked this book quite a lot too but it left me with a lot of questions. The characters' inertia bothered me a lot. I thought it was white guilt but not the type they have in America. More like we did so many bad things to black people it's not like we have the right to advocate for justice. I don't know.
Yeah it hit hard mate. Definitely need to read some more of his works and just about Africa in general. My knowledge is very lacking about life on that side of the world
A good friend of mine gave me a copy of this book around 2004 and it has been one of my favorites ever since. Something about it is just so haunting and beautiful at the same time.
This copy I read was actually floating around my parent's house for many years and I finally got around to reading it. Confronting is how I would describe it one word, definitely a book you will remember after reading. Thanks for your comment Mr. Geoff!
There was an element of disgrace in every character and action AND the mitigation of why things happen. I wept at the end.
Coetzee really carried the theme through magnificently.
Thank you for your sensitive and considered review. As you say, power relationships are central to the book. Given the time and place in which it is set--South Africa shortly after the fall of apartheid, one must also, and perhaps primarily, read it as a political book, Similar to Lurie's unapologetic attitude, most white South Africans remained unapologetic about apartheid. And often, their response to the changed political scene was emigration. Many, myself included, found the portrayal of the black men as rapists problematical, given that this is one of the worst stereotypes perpetuated by the dominant white culture. Apartheid was diabolical, not only in the way it subjugated blacks systematically on every level of existence, but also in the way it devalued blacks as human beings.
Hey Barbara. I've been thinking about this recently (as well as Conrad's 'Heart Of Darkness'). I don't mind if some people or even a group are portrayed in a negative light as long as it's not to show the other group is pure and better. The blacks in both these books were shown in a 'savage' light but the whites were arguably worse in terms of moral decisions. In the end, humans can be incredibly cruel and it's especially important to remember that for the people that hold that 'power'. Thanks for your comment!
Just watched the movie with Malkovich. With each stupid, passive decision or comment or behavior of Lucy, I was screaming at her through my tv screen. Her attitude was “It’s just the way it is.” I was honestly disgusted with her character by the end of the movie.
Hey SweetGirl. Yeah definitely one of those works of art without any redeeming characters. Combine that with the continual victimhood status (which is understandable in some part) and it makes for a disturbing and frustrating read/watch.
why reviewing a book you did not like, nor understand.
Never said I didn't like the book, just that it's a hard read. And what didn't I understand about it novassi?
Because why not?
Also a great reason 😁
@@MereMortalsBookReviews You gave it a 6.5 out of 10, am I supposed to think you liked or justly appreciated the book? Not to mention the many bits in the video where you say you found it "very very uncomfortable" to read at various points. It surprises me because, I think your review is nice, somewhat balanced and thoughtful, you recognise the novel is full of extreme sensitive topics receiving good treatment by Coetzee, you recognise it is useful and very well written. I just don't understand how you ended up being so miserable giving it a 6.5 out of 10. Your final mark is incoherent with your own review. What is it that you don't understand you ask me? You disclose the answer halfway through the video: you simply don't seem to understand the power dynamics between the characters, which is the central topic of the book and the reason why Coetzee wrote it I think. Maybe you are a bit of a "metooist" male feminist or something like that, I wouldnt really know. Try read it again in 10 years time, I am sure you'll read it with very different eyes
Maaaaate. 6.5/10 means I liked it more than I disliked it. I appreciate the elaboration, much easier to understand where you are coming from. I'm not sure being uncomfortable with rape and euthanasia makes me a male feminist any more than someone being comfortable with it would make them a psychopathic sadist. I do reread books every now and then so maybe I will appreciate it more in the future, it's happened before. All the best, Kyrin 😁
The animals put down at the end....was a grace.
That was really hard to read and I don't even consider myself an animal person. Was so impersonal and undignified.
Can you pronounce his surname correctly please.
Something like kuhrsteeh hey kelman. I wonder if he cares anymore, he'd have so many Aussies like me butchering it all the time
I loved this book...one of my favorites.... it is about everything...very difficult to place blame.
Hey Kimberly. Was certainly a powerful story. Not easy reading though!
At the very end..the crippled dog, by euthanasia, had a ‘state of grace’, insofar as in the post secular world, death is a great kindness? Funnily enough, I brought this book to my library book club...and on the night of, I was the only one who read it!😂😂😭😭🙄🥃🥃🥃😷
Haha wow, I can imagine the book club starting to read it and then getting uncomfortable with just how confronting it is!
A very good review sir, It was very useful thank you.
Thank you Princey - we are glad you were able to take some value away from it!
I really liked your review. I liked this book quite a lot too but it left me with a lot of questions. The characters' inertia bothered me a lot. I thought it was white guilt but not the type they have in America. More like we did so many bad things to black people it's not like we have the right to advocate for justice. I don't know.
Hey Lucas! Hmm yeah it seemed to be something of is its own kind. Maybe because they lagged behind the US that everything is much more recent
Just a small nitpick in south Africa we pronounce it as Coo-ts-ee-uh
Cheers Mr Ttripz. Was going to talk about him in another review coming up so will try and nail it down this time. Much appreciated!
@@MereMortalsBookReviews no problem. I enjoyed the video. Being south African this book is too real
Yeah it hit hard mate. Definitely need to read some more of his works and just about Africa in general. My knowledge is very lacking about life on that side of the world
@@mrttripz3236 very true. Greetings from SA
Fixed it up when I mentioned him in the latest book review released (not a book by him though)!
10/10
Thank you Kimberly, just saw this now eeep.