I recommend this book as, to me, it is one of the best ever written about South Africa, and beyond that, about human complexity.
/Gilbert, France

Being a South African citizen, I have a deep appreciation of 'Disgrace'. JM Coetzee has managed to delve into the heart of the post-apartheid South Africa's psyche. Not only does the book analyze the White Dilemma, it also delves into more shared human interests like love, forgiveness and the nature of life.
/Chris, South Africa

Loved it from A to Z. It played all my strings possible and impossible.
/Linda Tomase, Latvia

Because of its subtle yet emotionally charged portrayal of a society in its throes of transition. This is the kind of book I would like to reread every three years. I am so impressed how Mr. Coetzee made such a book possible, I am so glad that it exists.
/Hiba Rana, United States

Perfect in every way.
/Matthew Power, United States

It talks about the the human pain - Disgrace. It disturbs me like anything.
/Mukund, India

The story is masterfully crafted: we get to read how a man (David) follows his instincts, how the tension between his daughter (Lucy) and him never evades and how interracial complexities of South Africa define the actions of the characters. After reading the novel, one dies to read more and learn more about South Africa to be able to understand the rationale behind Lucy's decisions and her thought process. After finishing the novel, I am still thinking why Lucy, why?
/Erdem Tetik, United States

A thundering work of fiction that seems too real; one wonders if it is fiction at all. Coetzee shows us what happens when a man of incredible talent decides to use none of it. He takes pleasure in wallowing in the mud and not feeling sorry about it. It is almost as if the protagonist David Lurie conducts an experiment in degrading himself as much as he can ...
/Anand.Vijayasankaran, India

Coetzee shows courage and inner strength writing honestly about sensitive topics deeply affecting the human heart. He has a powerful, lucid storytelling style using an economy of words.
/Sharif Khan, Canada

A very brutal observation of life.
/Ruby Yong, China

One of the most powerful books I've ever read. About human condition, about us.
/Antonio, Spain

Brutal but perfect this book has lodged itself under my skin. Coetzee's prose is even more powerful than in 'The Life and Times of Michael K'.
/AD, United States

So simple and so complicated. Life.
/Agata Starosta, Poland

It is very real and it brilliantly captures the ways in which ideologies and power-structures collide and intersect.
/Saumya, India

Amazing. A history that reveals the conflictive nature of the human beings. A great novel, a really true novel.
/Sebastián Amir, Colombia

Interesting take on life in South Africa after the surrender of the white farms to the local population. Also, what growing old means and how to come to terms with being unttractive and no longer desirable.
/R. Canevari, Italy

I recommend this book because it has the power to show how things are without criticizing them in a way that is subjective, but rather in a way that we are made to think about their causes and to see that the problems South Africa faces are difficult and have many faces. There is neither right nor wrong in this novel, there is only difference. 'Disgrace' shows complex structures in dealing with culture, race, gender, identity, power, love and ideals. It is a novel that was written by an author who truly understands and responds to every last voice in South Africa and who has the wonderful gift of writing with so much insight that 'Disgrace' is an absolute must for anyone wanting to discover the multi-faceted country of South Africa.
/Amanda Egger, Switzerland

It is about the life of a writer, and describes her adventures in the world of conferences and in the simple life. It has a good question for the abuse of the animals and is very critique from herself. It is one of my favorite books. I hope you will read this book
/Damaso Acosta, Mexico

This book made me reflect on the misery of humans. It teaches me that every human is a mystery, is an iceberg of something. For me this "something” bright as the light, is for what every writer tends to approach, for human kind. That gives me the power and the motivation to take my way, to be recognized one day by Nobel academy as a winner. I’m going for it.
/Issa Ivo, France

Michael K is a tribute to Kafka, find many similarities in the ‘Metamorphoses’, ‘America’, ‘Artist of Hunger’ and other novels of Kafka. It is an extraordinary book immensely. I identify a lot with men to the limit. Thank you.
/J.P. Cepeda, Colombia

It is a very simple novel, without the humongous subplots or intensely detailed worlds of Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. The novel is about the life of a simple (and mentally retarded) Afrikaner named Michael K who tries to make sense of the brutal reality in which he lives and to come to terms with the death of his mother by building a life of his own in a country torn by political instability and civil war. It is a beautifully written book which characters, although not presented in complete detail, are clearly drawn for the reader through conversation and actions. The war-torn South African landscape is described with a heart-felt familiarity. It gives you the beauty of rural life in the countryside and at the same time, makes you feel the harshness of war. The central message (and theme) of the novel is that “there is nothing wrong with being a simple person”. Sounds like a "simple" and un-marketable idea, doesn't it? Well, there is nothing wrong with being simple. And J.M. Coetzee has proved this. Your duty is to go to the nearest bookstore now and read up. And it would certainly change your life.
/Hugo Yap, Malaysia

J.M. Coetzee's novel 'Slow Man' provides the reader with a subtle, though brilliant story of a man seeking answers to the questions that arise in life: love, contentment, purpose and lasting legacy once one departs the world. Coetzee takes the reader on a careful journey, holding our hand gently, but allowing us to slip out of his grasp and interpret his thoughts as it pertains to the reader. Coetzee rarely provides any clear answer, cognizant that some things are either better left unsolved or cannot be answered with one universal truth. Remarkable in its clear prose; a must read for any fan of Coetzee or a reader hoping to enjoy a novel of tender melancholy, lightheartedness, understanding. /C.W. Sandor, 21, United States
/C. W. Sandor, United States

A strange, provocative but exciting book about Elizabeth Costellos lecture about animals. Does Coetzee share the same view as Costello? Is the book about animal rights or about literature?
/Mathias Fridemark, Sweden

It is poignant and ruthlessly honest. A voice that tears apart consolatory constructs that we build to sustain ourselves.
/Ajinkya Deshmukh, India

This book is a striking allegory for Empire. The main character moves through the tripartate of positions of power: aggressor (colonizer), observer, victim (colonized). The character is complex, and readers will find themselves unable to classify him as good or bad, moral or immoral, his actions at any given time as right or wrong. This book has become even more relevant of late, as contemporary Empire (the United States) is again on trial for the crimes of torture and coercion that so characterized empires of the past. EMPIRE is not a thing of the past. It is as prevalent - and as brutal - as ever, and Coetzee highlights the complications that citizens of "powerful" countries like mine must not ignore.
/Rebecca M., United States

The first person narration of this somber, though emotionally rich, story of life in a distant frontier. We have all dreamed, if not contemplated such an existence where we enjoy a quiet life. Nevertheless, Mr. Coetzee has created a fascinating read describing the unique landscape of the frontier, the precise emotional feelings we feel when we are faced by someone who confuses our very hearts, and lastly concludes with a rather unique and comforting ending. As the presentation speech when Mr. Coetzee was moments away from receiving the prize, it is true what was said: Some images will stay with you forever.
/C. W. Sandor, United States

It depicts every youth life on globe. I looked into myself. Coetzee's style of narration really is wonderful. 'Disgrace' and 'The life and times of Michael K' are also worth reading.
/Vivekananda, India

Captures the experience of youth perfectly.
/Siggy, United States