Apparently, the normally stone-faced recluse J.M. Coetzee was caught smiling — if only for a second.
I would like to see Coetzee share the podium with Cormac McCarthy one of these days. Although I’m no authority on McCarthy, it strikes me he might be as equally solemn as Coetzee. I do know that they are the only two authors who can make me cry when I read their books.
If you don’t cry while reading Disgrace or The Road, then something is wrong with you.
5 responses
Not to start a war but Disgrace is a considerably better book than The Road. McCarthy has written a few books that deserve to be mentioned with Disgrace, but The Road isn’t one of them.
You’re not starting a war Steve. I haven’t read enough McCarthy to comment. But yes I think that Disgrace, Life And Times of Michael K and Waiting For The Barbarians are all better books than The Road. I still though had a very visceral reaction to The Road that not many books have elicited. It was a swift, simple story that did what it was supposed to do. It made you feel sheer hopelessness and then just the slightest, most pathetic bit of light.
And I have read Blood Meridian which is fantastic but in no way does it make me cry, or feel empathetic, just exhausted and overwhelmed, like reading Moby Dick. What do you think is a McCarthy worthy of being judged by a Coetzee?
Well, Blood Meridian is the masterpiece I think. It’s true it’s a different kind of book, but in it’s own way is as good as Disgrace. All The Pretty Horses also holds its own. I guess the thing that bothers me about The Road is that it’s not nearly McCarthy’s best book, and that makes me dislike it.
I feel the same way about Disgrace and The Road, and have read most of McCarthy and Coetzee’s works, and have no problem declaring those two books to among their best. Gut wrenching. Stunningly spare.
reflection is something which we can see. It is good to see the reflection of our actions before we react to the things with which we make contact. These reflections can be experiences
Click here to subscribe today and leave your comment.