one more for the Man Booker Roundabout...
just ordered it, so will take some time till it joins the traveling books :o)

got this today, i'll read it next!

I can tell this book is really well-written, but it just didnt grab me. I didnt really have much sympathy or even understanding for Rayment, and the whole thing about Elizabeth Costello is just a bit too fantastical (?) in this kind of quiet, realistic book. I didnt get why Ray didnt chuck her out way before he did. I understand shes from a previous book, so maybe knowing that would have helped. I can see that she is Coetzes way of writing himself into the story, and talking about the condition of being a novelist I suppose, but I didnt get it. I would consider reading another Coetze book though I think.

the book has arrived! :o) I hope to read it soon.
(must finish "The Handmaid's Tale" first, and an Austen P&P spin-off...)

well, I meant to bring this book on its round track... so finally I managed to read it.
it is my first Cotzee, and I've to say I agree with pustefix in that I wasnt gripped so much, and that the main character is not someone to feel for. not the way I did, for instance, for the one in "Saturday". there are a few short episodes or side plots in there, worth contemplating but otherwise... quite a few things stay mystical or unsolved, especially the whereabouts of the Costello woman. if I'm to read another Cotzee, it will probably be the one titled after her, just to find out...

Recieved just now. Will start reading it today.

I liked the idea of this novel - the story of a recently amputated man and how he copes with it. Though I really doubt I'd behave like Paul did, in this passive-agressive way, I can imagine that people would. That's why I felt sympathetic to him, despite all his grudgy behaviour. This story would have been very nice if it weren't for this more or less strange intrusion of the Costello woman. Why, I asked myself after the first 80 pages and until the end of the book, did Coetzee have to bring her in in this way. Couldn't he have added her in a less strange and more realistic way? I didn't get it. And her 'reason' to come into his life, her loneliness and her want for him, didn't make any sense, either. Despite her explanation. And why didn't he throw her out right from the beginning. A stranger who intrudes your life.
Also, the end with the bycicle and the Jokic family - not believable.
The novel started off so well, so realistic and so well written. So imaginable and then turned into some kind of farce.

I'm not too impressed with the outcome.

very nice surprise! especially because my mood is sooooo down at the moment - just received via 14 - thanks elham for thinking of me first. I will manage all books till August 14, when they will announce the new Longlist 2006. "The People´s Act of Love" leaves for you tomorrow morning.

Book review (Oct. 6, 2006):
I strongly disliked this book. Fortunately I was able to spend a lot of time with dear strong persons, who were in the same position as Paul and helped themselve actively to lead a great life: my grandpa, who lost both of his legs as a 19-year-od soldier in WWII, and my ex-friend, who got his left leg amputated after a severe skiing accident age 15.

"Slow Man" tells the story of Paul, a divorced man in this late 50ties, who loses his leg when a careless driver runs into him. With one of his nurses, the attractive Croation Marijana, he falls in love, but actually she is happily married and therefore does not return his feelings. Later Australian novelist Elisabeth Costello shows up in the scene, and things take a weird turn.

Paul is filled with self-pity and passively accepting his fate in a negative sense. His story is slow, boring, and annoying, so much that I dont want to give the book any closer and deeper thoughts.

Two stars for the idea and for Coetzee as an author, because I generally like his books.

The slow man arrived today, after a really slow journey, I think. My last but one book of the booker prize list. It is my first book by Coetzee, so it ist about time to read it.

Well, a lot hat already been said, and I won't repeat it. Just this: I have read this book, and I won't pretend that I have understood it.

I sent PMs to humtpydumpty, lesezeichen and Qantaqa asking who wants to read the book next.

Edit: lesezeichen and humptydumpty don't want to read the book.

I cannot feind a new reader and send the book home to urfin - thanks!

Fetched the book this morning from the post office. Don't know yet what to do with it next. Set it as "available" now.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left it on a table near the reception in the foyer of the main building.