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Sep 2020
9:52am, 8 Sep 2020
52,844 posts
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Diogenes
Great review, and in far fewer words than mine. Interesting about the young people.
I certainly felt that the boyfriend was a malevolent presence, as or more controlling than Melanie’s father had been. That’s why (by the end) I felt her submission to David a) understable and b) perhaps a form of rebellion and self-determination.
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Sep 2020
3:02pm, 8 Sep 2020
40,480 posts
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LindsD
Well. Not sure what to say about this. I enjoyed it. I read it quickly. I wanted to know what happened. I gave it a 6 but might have given it a 7.
He was quite an unpleasant protagonist. I liked (if that's the right word) the juxtaposition of his rape of the student and Lucy's rape. I found the attack storyline and Lucy's response to it very thought-provoking in terms of the history of the country. It was also interesting in terms of different cultural contexts and the breakdown of law.
I wished, in a way, that it was longer, and that more issues were resolved. But that's just me. I think I will read more Coetzee.
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Sep 2020
3:40pm, 8 Sep 2020
40,484 posts
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LindsD
"Not so much thought-provoking as thought-roughing up" Thanks, McG. That's me.
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Sep 2020
3:40pm, 8 Sep 2020
40,485 posts
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LindsD
Was the boyfriend meant to be white? I didn't get that. Or is the 'young, white radical' mentioned by Dio someone else?
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Sep 2020
4:56pm, 8 Sep 2020
52,850 posts
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Diogenes
I wasn’t referring so much to and individual as a generation. I don’t think we are given any indication of the boyfriend’s race.
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Sep 2020
4:57pm, 8 Sep 2020
40,496 posts
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LindsD
Aha. That makes more sense. Ta
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Sep 2020
9:01pm, 8 Sep 2020
20,251 posts
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Columba
A really good book. I shall re-read, as I think it will turn out to be one of those books in which you see more and more.
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Sep 2020
9:28pm, 8 Sep 2020
20,252 posts
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Columba
Now having read back:
David accepts his guilt (re entirely inappropriate relationship with student) but refuses to abase himself with an abject apology. But later, at the end of the dinner scene with Melanie’s family, he does indeed abase himself, literally, in front of Melanie’s mother and sister. Not father.
Not sure if I actually liked David or not. I did rather admire the way he accepted the complete, abrupt change in his fortunes and way of life.
Although a number of events take place which are entirely unanticipated (e.g. the attack on Lucy’s property and person, the dinner with Melanie’s family) I did not find anything in the book hard to believe. It may well be a totally accurate picture of South Africa. Like Linds, I think I’ll read more Coetzee.
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Sep 2020
10:34pm, 8 Sep 2020
52,854 posts
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Diogenes
I’m in total agreement with you, Columba.
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Sep 2020
9:52pm, 9 Sep 2020
20,256 posts
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Columba
Great minds, Dio.
I assumed that Melanie’s boyfriend was white. But we are indeed given no indication.
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Book Group
Dec 2024