Diary of a Bad Year

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The Nobel Prize-winning author of "Disgrace" delivers an utterly contemporary work of fiction that takes on the world of politics and explores with an extraordinary compass the role of the writer in modern times.

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Publisher’s Weekly (09/17/2007)
Nobelist Coetzee's 19th book features a stand-in for himself: Señor C, a white 72-year-old South African writer living in Australia who has writtenWaiting for the Barbarians . C falls into a "metaphysical" passion for his sexy 29-year-old Filipina neighbor, Anya, and quickly plots to spend more time with her by offering her a job as his typist. C's latest project is a series of political and philosophical essays, and Coetzee divides each page of the present novel in three: any given page features a bit of an essay (often its title and opening paragraph) at the top; C's POV in the middle; and Anya's voice at the bottom. C's opinions in the essays are mostly on the left (he despises Bush, Blair & Co., and is opposed to the Iraq War) and they bore Anya, who wants something less lofty. Meanwhile, Anya's lover, Alan-a smart, conservative 42-year-old investment consultant who's good in the sack, and who stands for everything C despises-becomes increasingly scornful and jealous, and eventually concocts an elaborate plan to defraud C. of money. Unfortunately, Anya is little more than a trophy to be disputed, and Alan as an unscrupulous, boorish reactionary is a caricature. While C's essays, especially the later ones inspired by Anya, hold some interest, this follow-up toSlow Year is not one of Coetzee's major efforts.(Jan.)

ISBN: 9780670018758 | EAN: 9780670018758
Publisher: Viking Books  | Publication Date: January, 2008

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