Deals with Coetzee's origins, early years, and first writings. This book corrects many of the misconceptions about Coetzee, and that illuminates the genesis and implications of his novels. It is suitable for everybody concerned with Coetzee's life and work.
Michiel Heyns Book order (chronological)
Michiel Heyns crafts novels that delve into the complexities of human nature and societal dynamics, often infused with a subtle wit. His narrative voice explores intricate relationships and the interplay between characters and their environments, shifting fluidly between contemporary themes and historical settings. Heyns is lauded for his precise prose and literary sophistication, reflecting a deep understanding of literary tradition honed by his academic background. His work offers a keen critical perspective on social phenomena, making his storytelling both insightful and engaging.
The reluctant passenger
- 435 pages
- 16 hours of reading
Irreverent, satirical, and uninhibited, The Reluctant Passenger is a hugely entertaining and intelligent comic novel set in contemporary Cape Town. Nicholas Morris is a fundamentally decent chap who likes order and isn't given to messy emotions. He and his sort-of girlfriend Leonora share a relationship that is comforting in its sameness, and he is ensconced in a well-paid career as an environmental lawyer. When he takes on a case to save the baboons of Cape Point from developers, he becomes drawn into intrigues involving a charismatic liberal judge, dinosaurs from the old regime, and the full cast of the wealthy Tomlinson family, not to mention its golden boy heir. The rainbow nation begins to unravel in a hilarious riot of traffic chaos, ecological mayhem (including a troop of baboons rampaging through a shopping mall), and sexual discovery.