| | 
|
|
 |
|
Disgrace
J.M. Coetzee. Penguin USA: 2000. ISBN: 0140296409. 220 pages.
|
| |
|
About the Author
A page of detailed biographical information on Disgrace, including excerpts from interviews
in which Coetzee interprets his own work.
“[P]eople should read Disgrace on its own terms,” Coetzee suggests when asked about his novel’s political message, “as a
work of fiction, rather than as a message in disguise.”
All in the Family
A synopsis of the literary traditions and genres with which Disgrace is affiliated and a brief
explanation of these connections, giving your book group the opportunity to understand Coetzee’s novel in a larger literary
perspective.
Coetzee is famous for giving rather chilly interviews, and when asked about the numerous critics who hail him as the
twentieth century’s master allegorist, he responds, “I’ve always been slightly bemused by the description of me as an
allegorist, but maybe I know less than other people do.”
Character Tree
A list of major characters and their dominant characteristics and values, showing characters’ relationships
to each other.
You’ll read about David Lurie and the people in his life: family, friends. lovers and foes.
Streams of Themes
A breakdown of potential major discussion themes in Disgrace, including ways these themes are
interconnected.
Disgrace is one of those books whose themes work on many different levels, the most enigmatic being the theme of
disgrace, of course. But there are some other doozies as well, like power, corruption, and truth.
Talk Back to the Critics
Excerpts of some major critical reviews of Disgrace from authoritative journals,
newspapers, and magazines. We encourage your book group to enjoy the opportunity to argue with expert opinion.
Most critics are simply at a loss for words to describe the brilliance of Coetzee’s spare prose, but one critic says it
well: “Disgrace is written in a language that, even by Coetzee’s standards, is savagely reduced. It never spills a drop,
and is almost bloodless in its pale perfection.”
Doorways to Discussion
A chronologically and thematically organized list of discussion questions, which function to
explore, in a logical and thoughtful manner, the questions and possibilities that Disgrace evokes.
There’s lots to discuss in Coetzee’s “little” novel, and here are a few examples of the 38 questions featured in this
section: “How does David respond when he sees Petrus’s relative, the disturbed young man, staring into Lucy’s window? Do
his feelings and actions towards Petrus and his young relative reflect any racial prejudice?”
Taste Test
A selection of other books on subjects similar to those in Disgrace to consider for future book group
meetings or for private reading.
If you want to read another pivotal South African novel or other novels that deal with racism, or if you just want to catch
up on recent prizewinners, we’ve included lots of books we think you’ll enjoy!
|
Read more about
the book
|
| |
| |
contact us
