55 pages • 1 hour read
Disgrace
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Book Brief
220
Novel • Fiction
South Africa • 1990s
1999
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, South African professor David Lurie, after experiencing significant personal and professional turmoil, including estrangement from his daughter Lucy and a sexual harassment scandal with a student, retreats to Lucy's farm. His time there is marred by a violent attack and its aftermath, deeply affecting both their lives and capturing the complexities of post-apartheid South Africa. Contains graphic depictions of sexual violence.
Melancholic
Dark
Contemplative
Unnerving
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
114,448 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace has been widely acclaimed for its profound exploration of post-apartheid South Africa, ethical dilemmas, and human frailty. Critics laud the novel's stark prose and moral complexity, though some find its bleak narrative and characters' actions difficult to engage with. Despite its controversial themes, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Disgrace?
Readers who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous portrayals of post-apartheid South Africa and intricate character studies, such as those found in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee, will be captivated by Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee.
114,448 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lucy Lurie
Lucy Lurie
David's daughter, living on a farm outside Cape Town, who is independent and determined to navigate her life amidst the changing post-apartheid South African landscape.
Petrus
Petrus
A Black South African who transitions from being a laborer to a landowner, representing the new opportunities available in the post-apartheid era. He shares a complicated relationship with David and Lucy.
Melanie Isaacs
Melanie Isaacs
A young student of David's, who becomes involved in a controversial relationship with him, highlighting themes of power and consent.
220
Novel • Fiction
South Africa • 1990s
1999
Adult
18+ years
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