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David Lurie is a professor in South Africa, twice divorced, looking for quick, uncomplicated relationships, decides to start a relationship with one of his students. Very quickly his life becomes complicated and is forced to resign.
This is the second book I have read by Coetzee, and to be honest, I just don't like his characters. ...more
This is the second book I have read by Coetzee, and to be honest, I just don't like his characters. ...more

May 27, 2009
Sunflower
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction-read-2009
Great writing, and actually an easy read, considering some of the issues he is working with. But not a book you can say you enjoyed. I didn't hate Lurie, just thought he was "a great self-deceiver", confirmed later in the book by one of his ex-women. And everybody pays for their mistakes in this book, except the dogs who pay for the humans'.
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I don't know whether I'm more shocked by the fact that a text can give off such dark, unsettling energy within the first 20 pages, or by the fact that said text has won such acclaim.
Judging from the reviews I have read, I suspect reading this book in its entirety would have temporarily destroyed me. It is the closest thing to what I can only describe as soulless writing that I have ever come across. What a mess of ugliness. An apt title, at least.
...more
Judging from the reviews I have read, I suspect reading this book in its entirety would have temporarily destroyed me. It is the closest thing to what I can only describe as soulless writing that I have ever come across. What a mess of ugliness. An apt title, at least.
...more

Jun 13, 2010
Sara
marked it as to-read



Dec 29, 2012
Tanya
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May 17, 2013
Terri
marked it as boxall-s-1001

Jul 30, 2013
Chris Hammer
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Aug 24, 2013
Daisy
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May 26, 2015
Elizabeth
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Mar 17, 2017
Rebecca
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Jan 16, 2020
Kathy Jo
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