Disgrace was a fair read; it wasn’t as complicated and in-depth as all the previous reads we had this year, yet it wasn’t as interesting. As –almost- every one, I was getting into the novel at first but sort of lost interest by the time I reached the middle. It started out fast-paced, eventful, and captivating but it definitely slowed down and became repetitive after the climax (rape). Now, it wasn’t complete drudgery... I mean I didn’t mind reading it but I wouldn’t have continued it on my own –if I had the choice.
The novel has its ups-and-downs. There are a few things I liked. For example, Coetzee’s choice in introducing Soraya’s character at the very beginning and stressing on her so much but disregarding her after the first chapter was, in my opinion, an interesting twist. I also liked the way Coetzee meticulously revealed the characters, specifically David. For example, we would learn exactly what David is thinking all the time: what he wants to say but doesn’t, what he remembers, what he feels, etc.
However, that doesn’t mean I liked the characters. On the contrary, I thought that David was repulsive, Lucy was too passive submissive, and Petrus was sleazy. I also didn’t like the ending. It seemed unfinished and not satisfying to the reader.
I can’t really tell whether or not the novel deserved the award, as I do not yet fully understand its deeper layers and the authors message.
All in all, it was a quick read; I enjoyed some parts... others, not so much.
4 comments:
I'm not sure what to say. Basically, I agree with most of what you said and don't have much to add since I would be repeating everything. Concerning Soraya, I was indifferent towards the fact that he disregards her after the first few chapters. I don't think it affects the novel in anyway. I suppose, he only introduces her in the beginning to help the readers understand David's character.
I agree with your take on the novel in that it was good until the climax, after which it became boring and repetitive. However, I probably would have continued on my own, just because I liked the allusions and though I didn't find the plot intriguing anymore, the style was still enough to keep me reading, and I liked the instances of originality, chap.20 (The Writing of the Opera) for example. Like Rana, I didn't stress too much on the fact that Soraya doesn't reappear, I think Coetzee didn't have her come back because he had no reason to. Soraya was more of a symbol, a symbol of who David was in the past with his promiscuity and sexual drive, the contrast and hypocracy of an educated man, a sophisticated man so refined and intelligent, sleeping with a "dirty", disgraceful prostitute. This was who was trying to evolve, and ultimately, grow up.
I felt the same way, I think almost everyone did, that the novel wasn't that bad untill David moves to the country. Also, another reason I didn't like Disgrace was because of the characters. I'm glad it was a quick read, but I'm sure that will be made up for by it having some very obscure and hidden message or theme. And, I totally disagree with Hadrien about the allusions, that was another reason I dislike the book. By the way, who is Sophie?
ooh! i meant lucy hhaha! ill fix it
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