African Pens: New Writing from Southern Africa, 2007

by J.M. Coetzee (Editor )

Doreen B. Townsend Center Occasional Papers - 17, University of California - Berkeley, c 1999, paperback, 20 pages, LITERATURE

Genres: Fiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

J. M. Coetzee is a South African writer, essayist, and translator, widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of contemporary literature. His works, often characterized by their austere prose and profound moral and philosophical depth, explore themes of colonialism, identity, power, and human suffering. Born and raised in South Africa, he later became an Australian citizen and has lived in Adelaide since 2002.
Coetzee’s breakthrough novel, Waiting for the Barbarians (1980), established him as a major literary voice, while Life & Times of Michael K (1983) won him the first of his two Booker Prizes. His best-known work, Disgrace (1999), a stark and unsettling examination of post-apartheid South Africa, secured his second Booker Prize, making him the first author to win the award twice. His other notable novels include Foe, Age of Iron, The Master of Petersburg, Elizabeth Costello, and The Childhood of Jesus, many of which incorporate allegorical and metafictional elements.
Beyond fiction, Coetzee has written numerous essays and literary critiques, contributing significantly to discussions on literature, ethics, and history. His autobiographical trilogy—Boyhood, Youth, and Summertime—blends memoir with fiction, offering a fragmented yet insightful reflection on his own life. His literary achievements were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003.
A deeply private individual, Coetzee avoids public life and rarely gives interviews, preferring to let his work speak for itself.

Reviews

[James Whyle]

"The winning story... is a gem. Set in Pringle Bay, it has more than one narrative layered into its cleanly written pages and concerns a man, his driver's licence, a cop, a baboon and several "whatifs". In second place is Heatwave by Beth Hunt, in which a woman, surrounded by love and good fortune, examines her conscience when a lover dies.

Of the 21 stories I considered 15 to be very good - and the rest to be almost as good. Names that are already known to readers include Liesl Jobson, with her intense, perceptive style, and Sarah Lotz, whose The Pigeon Fancier is funny as well as sad. "

Jane Rosenthal

(Published in Mail & Guardian, July 8 2011)

http://arjasalafranca.blogspot.com/20...

[Sean de la Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book comprises a selection of 31 short stories chosen from young South African writers for HSBC/SA PEN's 2007 Literary Award. Final selections were made by JM Coetzee.

It is amazing to read what is on the minds of our budding writers. Also, to what extent the English language is evolving to accommodate complex and varied themes. Some short stories cover very troubling experiences while other showcase the beauty of our African Continent.

There is a 2009 volume of new writings that was released late last year. My order is already in. Tip: kalahari.net are charging R550 for the 2009 release - A RIP OFF! Check out www.jandkj.co.za and get your copy for under R150.

[Sean de la Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it's enjoyable to read some South African short stories now and then. Like with the last African Pens book, Coetzee shortlisted the best and selected the winners. It was interesting reading his synopsis of the submitted works: he concludes disappointingly that although the works were good, there was no sign of a new fresh talent worthy of honourable mention.

[Jayne Bauling · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's probably invidious for me to rate or review this as it includes one of my own short stories. I'll just say it contains some good writing, some of it rather consciously - self-consciously? - good.