Coetzee, J.M.: Life and Times of Michael K

Eine wirklich bewegende und packende Geschichte, die mich von Anfang bis Ende fesselte. Die Darstellung der schwierigen Umstände ist sehr eindringlich und emotional.

Gut!

Written at a time that Apartheid was still very strong, Coetzee came up with a philosophical account of life in that environment, which in this case is a surreal post-civil war South Africa with all the horrors that come with the aftermath of a civil war, especially an African civil war. However, Michael K. makes the effort to shield himself from the harshness of his environment by taking on a life of existential survival. In fact the lesson from this book applies to all environments or situations where society makes it difficult for a private person to live a personal life that is independent of the forces of the environment. Other recommended reads are Disciples of Fortune, Disgrace, The Usurper and Other Stories. I like books like this for the thought-provoking and insightful nature of the story.