Life and Times of Michael K

by J.M. Coetzee | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0099268345 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingLittleSuzwing of Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on 7/16/2009
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingLittleSuzwing from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, July 16, 2009
Found mysteriously in a box of my old books in Dad's attic. I didn't know I owned this and previosuly had it on my wishlist.

From amazon.co.uk:
In a South Africa torn by civil war, Michael K sets out to take his mother back to her rural home. On the way there she dies, leaving him alone in an anarchic world of brutal roving armies. Imprisoned, Michael is unable to bear confinement and escapes, determined to live with dignity. Life and Times of Michael K goes to the centre of human experience - the need for an interior, spiritual life, for some connections to the world in which we live, and for purity of vision.

Journal Entry 2 by wingLittleSuzwing from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, October 18, 2009
As I must have already read this in the past, and because it's on the wishlist of my NSSHCAS partner, I've decided to let this one go.

Journal Entry 3 by wingLittleSuzwing at on Saturday, October 24, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (10/24/2009 UTC) at

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Sent off to my NSSHCAS partner - enjoy!

Journal Entry 4 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thank you so much LittleSuz for a fabulous NSSHCAS parcel.


This looks great I have yet to read any J M Coetzee books yet, although I also have Disgrace on my TBR.

Journal Entry 5 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
In my quest to read all the booker winners that ever were I added this to my wishlist, and so was delighted to have a chance to read it. It takes me ages to get around to things sometimes because my TBR is so bad.

This is in no way a happy story, but it is an affecting one, and I don't feel the need to always read just happy stories. The novel is beautifully written. The reader becoming almost as lost and confused as Michael K himself as the author takes us on a journey through a hostile world, all of it seen through the gentle uncomprehending eyes of Michael K. Michael K is the sort of character that stays in your head long after you have laid the book aside. The portrayal of South Africa at this brutal and unstable time in it's history is a powerful one. The farms left to ruin, the work camps, the casualness of death.

Very glad that I had a chance to read this book, thanks LittleSuz!

Journal Entry 6 by Heaven-Ali at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, May 21, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (5/22/2010 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom

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If you have found this book, thank you for taking the time to look it up on the internet. Now please tell us what you thought of the book and what your plans for it are.


Journal Entry 7 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, May 24, 2010
Picked up at the Birmingham meet on Saturday.

Journal Entry 8 by Caterinaanna at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, April 28, 2012
Michael is one of those people to whom nothing good ever seems to happen. There is a time when he has contentment of a sort, although leading a life which is, by any measure, impoverished, but even that is wrested from him. Since it seems he is supposed to have limited mental abilities, albeit underpinned by an intuitive understanding of how the world works, some of his actions are described as being thought through in a way which jarred. This and too much philosophising from the over-intellectual and over-familiar doctor spoilt it for me - I respected and admired it, but was not sure I enjoyed it.

That is from my notes, written when I read it about a year ago. I still remember large chunks of the plot and the feel of the book - it reminds me of a less happy Hardy - so it deserves credit for that and I'm upgrading my rating.

Released 11 yrs ago (4/28/2012 UTC) at Urban Coffee Company, Church St in Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom

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Dear Reader,
If this is your introduction to Bookcrossing, welcome. Thank you for taking the time to call in here and tell us that you have found this book and, perhaps, what you have thought of it.
This book is now yours to do with as you choose. Keep it, pass it on, or leave it around for someone to find; but please leave the label so it can keep in touch with us. If you would like to share in its future travels, and find out what other people think of it, then do join us using the link at the top of the page: BookCrossing is free, private and fun!
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Happy reading!

Journal Entry 10 by ARTurner at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Picked up at the Birmingham monthly meet.

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