Author J. M. Coetzee gave a reading from his latest novel at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life Thursday, just two weeks after the South African was named the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Coetzee--an acclaimed and reclusive writer most known for his often controversial take on Apartheid--read an excerpt from his new work of fiction, Elizabeth Costello: Eight Lessons, on the day of its publication in the United States.
The book is a mixture of essay and fiction, and focuses on the life of a fictional writer and her experience as a mother, wife and artist. He read excerpts from the final chapter of the book, a meditation on the role of belief and artistic responsibility in the life of a writer.
Professor of English Michael Valdez-Moses introduced the Nobel laureate, citing the author's numerous awards and achievements as well as his own personal admiration for Coetzee's pantheon. He cited the broad range and humor of Coetzee's fiction and literary essays. After the hour-long reading, Coetzee signed copies of his books, while many audience members lingered to discuss the presentation amongst themselves.
Sophomore Joanne Childers echoed Moses's introduction.
"He talked about life using [the analogy of] frogs, and talked about identity, profession and religion. But he did it not so seriously, [but rather] with a good sense of humor," Childers said. "I really enjoyed it. I couldn't believe that it was an hour; it felt like it was about 20 minutes."
Another audience member, freshman Brian Wright, also praised the reading. He spoke of the excitement that Coetzee's arrival has spurred among some in the Duke community. "I am reading one of his books for my class," he said. "We didn't realize he was speaking here until last week so we rearranged the class so that we read his book before his lecture."
After the reading, Moses emphasized the extraordinary opportunity that the audience was given.
"I think that it is fantastic to have a Nobel laureate reading from his most recent fiction at Duke," he said. "It speaks to his personal generosity that he was willing to do this when I think many writers in his position would have insisted that pressing commitments would prevent them from coming."
Along with the Nobel Prize, Coetzee has won the Booker Prize twice--for Disgrace in 1999 and The Life and Times of Michael K in 1983. He currently lives in Australia, where he holds a position at the University of Adelaide. He is also a Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago.
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