Waiting for the Barbarians
7 journalers for this copy...
Pre-numbered label used for registration. A friend of mine was reading this for a college class a long time ago. It seemed like every assignment that she had to write was about this book, and my friend was always coming to me for help, finally I went out and got the book, so I could read it and help her along... I think she ended up getting an A in the that course. I read recently that someone is composing an opera for this book. This book is lyrical, but not an easy read!
8/4/2003 -- sent off to London... hope you enjoy it! --Kelly
8/4/2003 -- sent off to London... hope you enjoy it! --Kelly
Journal Entry 2 by inkognitoh from Port Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Monday, August 11, 2003
I am very excited about this book (especailly if it's a challenging read). I'm not familiar with this author but cannot wait to explore his work. Thanks so much AuntK for sending me this opportunity to read what appears to be a wonderful book.
Journal Entry 3 by inkognitoh from Port Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Friday, November 5, 2004
Oh what a poignant and powerful work. This short, sharp take on the inhumanity of humans was an awesome story of contrasts. One middle aged mans struggle through the impotency of his situation as Magistrate in an Empire Frontier settlement who are awaiting the barbarians who never come. The nothingness of the threat reverberated with me as current world events eerily echo the goings on in these pages. Innocent fishermen and nomads are rounded up and tortured in the name of hunting the barbarians.
Striking out against the barbarity of the protecting army eventually, the Magistrate finds strength in his weaknesses and freedom in his improsonment. He suffers as he tries to protect 'the barbarians' from the barborous and truly comes into his own as he sinks into madness.
Striking out against the barbarity of the protecting army eventually, the Magistrate finds strength in his weaknesses and freedom in his improsonment. He suffers as he tries to protect 'the barbarians' from the barborous and truly comes into his own as he sinks into madness.
Journal Entry 4 by Fire-Dragon from Newtown, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, January 12, 2005
I picked this up at meetup last night. I enjoyed Disgrace also by Coetzee so I'm interested to take a look at this. It took me a while to find the BCID - cunningly hid on the back cover! Will read and release.
Journal Entry 5 by Fire-Dragon from Newtown, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, December 7, 2005
What a wonderful book! I highly recommend it. It is not set in any specific time and place yet it is utterly believable and has resonance for all times and all places.
I have read this as part of my challenge to read the top 100 books of the 20th century, as chronicled at www.bookcentury.blogspot.com.
I would like to offer this to my boyfriend to read and it will then be available.
I have read this as part of my challenge to read the top 100 books of the 20th century, as chronicled at www.bookcentury.blogspot.com.
I would like to offer this to my boyfriend to read and it will then be available.
Journal Entry 6 by Fire-Dragon from Newtown, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, February 9, 2006
I liked this so much I decided to send this on a bookray. It's UK only at this stage - please PM me if you want to join.
The participants are:
1. Iojima, France (will post back to UK)
2. Safrolistics, UK
3. Mastulela, UK
Please journal the book when you receive it and try to keep it no more than a month or so. Actual reviews are always appreciated.
The participants are:
1. Iojima, France (will post back to UK)
2. Safrolistics, UK
3. Mastulela, UK
Please journal the book when you receive it and try to keep it no more than a month or so. Actual reviews are always appreciated.
Received, thank you. Next in line to read.
Spare, hypnotic prose. Don't skim or you'll miss a lot. An excellent book (that I wouldn't label an allegory).
Journal Entry 9 by Safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Saturday, March 4, 2006
Received today, great that Mastulela is next in line, as I'm due to meet her next week at our bccov meetup!
Best get on with reading it.
Best get on with reading it.
Journal Entry 10 by Safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Thursday, March 9, 2006
Can't really add any more to what others have written before me. I've read a couple of J M Coetzee books before, and they always give you something to think about.
alt="Click here to join bccov">Click to join bccov
Journal Entry 11 by Safrolistics at Liquid, Coventry City Arcade in Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, March 9, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (3/9/2006 UTC) at Liquid, Coventry City Arcade in Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Passing on the book at the Saturday meetup
Passing on the book at the Saturday meetup
Journal Entry 12 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 11, 2006
Successful hand-over at The Liquid Bar Coventry.
Journal Entry 13 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Thursday, March 23, 2006
Thought provoking and very clever. Coetzee is South African and the book was published in 1980, during the height of the apartheid years and the struggle for equality, so he has a particular insight into the complex relationship between the oppressed and the oppressors. Although the frontier settlement of the 'empire' is not specified, and the situation could apply to any geographical area or era, his discussion about the nature of 'barbarism' has many resonances for those living with regimes that elevate their own survival above justice and decency.
Journal Entry 14 by Mastulela at Sutton Cheney Church (former Official Crossing Zone) in Sutton Cheney, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 28, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (5/28/2006 UTC) at Sutton Cheney Church (former Official Crossing Zone) in Sutton Cheney, Warwickshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Journal Entry 15 by knitwearqueen from Market Bosworth, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, October 12, 2007
Picked this up from Sutton Cheney Church today - looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed Slow Man by Coetzee.
