Waiting for the Barbarians
14 journalers for this copy...
Before this book was picked by my book club as a meeting topic, I had only previously read Disgrace, which whilst OK was not a great book.
I picked this book up with trepidation, expecting a fight to the end to complete it.
But, I now know why Coetzee won the Nobel prize. This book is fantastic but leaves as many questions hanging at the end as it resolves. Here is a list of some of the topics discussed at the meeting.
What is the book about? Is it a straight forward story (possibly, in that case where is it set and when), is it a parable about the moral choices and decisions of men (possibly is the protagonist then a good man, a bad man, does he absolve himself in the end), is it a metaphor of empire (which empire? Historical? England? Spain? Modern? USA), is it a metaphor about male sexuality (possibly? Does the character acheive closure and come to terms with his aging and loss of youthful vigour?)
The answer to all the above is YES.
I picked this book up with trepidation, expecting a fight to the end to complete it.
But, I now know why Coetzee won the Nobel prize. This book is fantastic but leaves as many questions hanging at the end as it resolves. Here is a list of some of the topics discussed at the meeting.
What is the book about? Is it a straight forward story (possibly, in that case where is it set and when), is it a parable about the moral choices and decisions of men (possibly is the protagonist then a good man, a bad man, does he absolve himself in the end), is it a metaphor of empire (which empire? Historical? England? Spain? Modern? USA), is it a metaphor about male sexuality (possibly? Does the character acheive closure and come to terms with his aging and loss of youthful vigour?)
The answer to all the above is YES.
Re-read this book for The Nobel Spiral.
All I can do it re-iterate how impressed I am with this book. An outstanding piece of fiction written by a master of the craft at the height of his powers.
All I can do it re-iterate how impressed I am with this book. An outstanding piece of fiction written by a master of the craft at the height of his powers.
Journal Entry 3 by marko167 at The Nobel Spiral in Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (1/30/2008 UTC) at The Nobel Spiral in Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
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Off book one flies to the UK.
Off book one flies to the UK.
Journal Entry 4 by geetheflea from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Arrived this morning. Thanks marko167 for sending it to me and I'm very much looking forward to the Nobel spiral.
Journal Entry 5 by geetheflea from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this. Coetzee managed to express complex thoughts in simple and thoughtful language. I've read Disgrace but didn't really take to that - this I did. Thanks Marko167 for sending it to me. I look forward to the next!
Journal Entry 6 by geetheflea at The Nobel Spiral in Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (2/26/2008 UTC) at The Nobel Spiral in Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
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Sent to brunton11. Enjoy!
Sent to brunton11. Enjoy!
Received today - Thanks all for sharing.
Having only read 'Disgrace' by this author before (and felt similarly to previous reviewers) I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. Now that I've finished it I'm glad that I tried it - It was much more accessible than 'Disgrace' and asked a lot of questions some of which I'm still not sure I know the answer to.
Thanks all for sharing. I'm looking forward to the rest of the spiral and other books I may not have considered reading myself. I have katrinat's address and will get this book in the post to her on Tuesday.
Thanks all for sharing. I'm looking forward to the rest of the spiral and other books I may not have considered reading myself. I have katrinat's address and will get this book in the post to her on Tuesday.
Posted today
Arrived yesterday. Luckily I have the next 2 weeks off of school as 3 bookring books have arrived in 2 days! Thabks for posting it
I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot going on beneath the surface, reminded me of the type of books I analysed at uni. Like many others I hated Disgrace so was really pleased to like this and enjoy it.
Have requested the next address will send it off as soon as I have it.
Have requested the next address will send it off as soon as I have it.
Journal Entry 12 by katrinat at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (4/7/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
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sent by air mail
sent by air mail
Journal Entry 13 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Arrived safely. Many thanks katrinat!
Journal Entry 14 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A dark masterpiece of a book!
On its way to afraberg.
On its way to afraberg.
Arrived in my mailbox today.
Thank you very much for sending iliotropio, and also many thanks for the beautiful bookmark.
Thank you very much for sending iliotropio, and also many thanks for the beautiful bookmark.
I really liked reading this book. The story doesn't make you very happy, but it does makes you think about how people treat each other.
I put the book on the mail to Fotomiep today.
Thank you very much for sharing this first book in the spiral marko167!
I put the book on the mail to Fotomiep today.
Thank you very much for sharing this first book in the spiral marko167!
The book arrived safely at my house. I will try to get my brain into literature mode asap :)
Journal Entry 18 by marsala from - Ergens in de provincie, Noord-Brabant Netherlands on Monday, July 7, 2008
Fotomiep handed this book to me at a meeting last saturday.
Thanks very much, I'll start reading it as soon as possible.
Thanks very much, I'll start reading it as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 19 by marsala from - Ergens in de provincie, Noord-Brabant Netherlands on Wednesday, July 9, 2008
What a great book, finished it almost in one go. I didn't like the main character, what a spineless man that is. But I believe one must be a really good writer to let me dislike the main characters, it is very well writen.
I'll send it on to the next reader shortly.
Edit July 30, 2008
It is in the mail to Moonwoolf
I'll send it on to the next reader shortly.
Edit July 30, 2008
It is in the mail to Moonwoolf
This was reaallly quick...Just two days and arrived here.. WOW :D
I will say something after reading. Thank you for sharing and sending.
11-08-2008 = Interesting reading, liked very much. Thank you for this opportunity.
I will say something after reading. Thank you for sharing and sending.
11-08-2008 = Interesting reading, liked very much. Thank you for this opportunity.
Journal Entry 21 by Moonwoolf at lisboa, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/11/2008 UTC) at lisboa, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal
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Traveling to hioniam.
Traveling to hioniam.
I received the book today.
Thank you Moonwoolf!
Thank you Moonwoolf!
Being a Greek I was intrigued by the title
as Coetzee has borrowed it from the same titled
poem by the Greek poet C.P.Cavafy
(you can read it here:
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/texts/cavafy.html)
and I am glad to say
that he didn't disappoint me.
Although the inspiration of his book
is obviously the Apartheid in South Africa
Coetzee manages to eschew the limitations
of a specific place and time by raising
some very important and difficult for all
places and times and especially for our
Modern Times
Something to which all writers aspire,
but only the greatest achieve.
hioniam
PS) The book is on it's way to Dworin
as Coetzee has borrowed it from the same titled
poem by the Greek poet C.P.Cavafy
(you can read it here:
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/texts/cavafy.html)
and I am glad to say
that he didn't disappoint me.
Although the inspiration of his book
is obviously the Apartheid in South Africa
Coetzee manages to eschew the limitations
of a specific place and time by raising
some very important and difficult for all
places and times and especially for our
Modern Times
Something to which all writers aspire,
but only the greatest achieve.
hioniam
PS) The book is on it's way to Dworin
Journal Entry 24 by Dworin from Seremban, Elective Monarchy of Negeri Sembilan (Seremban) Malaysia on Saturday, October 18, 2008
Received the book today. I will read it as soon as possible. Thanks for sending & sharing.
Journal Entry 25 by Dworin from Seremban, Elective Monarchy of Negeri Sembilan (Seremban) Malaysia on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Once I got into the book (and stopped looking for a direct pointer to Apartheid) I really liked it. It reminds you of what it means to be 'civilized' and how fragile 'civilization' is.
Once I get Bibliocrates address, it will be on its way across the big pond.
Once I get Bibliocrates address, it will be on its way across the big pond.
Journal Entry 26 by Dworin at By mail, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (11/10/2008 UTC) at By mail, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
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After some confusion about the address, the book is finally on its way to Bibliocrates. Enjoy!
After some confusion about the address, the book is finally on its way to Bibliocrates. Enjoy!
This book arrived safely here in Trinity, Alabama. Thanks for posting it on to me Dworin, my apologies for not leaving a journal entry right away.
I just received another copy of this book, so I will be mailing this book on to NMReader as soon as I have an address...
Thank you so much for sharing marko167!
Thank you so much for sharing marko167!
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This book is on its way to NMReader to continue the Nobel spiral. I hope you enjoy it :)
This book is on its way to NMReader to continue the Nobel spiral. I hope you enjoy it :)
It has arrived. I look forward to reading
I finished the book a few minutes ago.
I had a hard time getting into the book. It may not have been the right book for me at this time.
The stor was dense with meanings. I agree that there is much to be gained and I am glad that I didn't give up before I completed it.
Thanks for including me
I had a hard time getting into the book. It may not have been the right book for me at this time.
The stor was dense with meanings. I agree that there is much to be gained and I am glad that I didn't give up before I completed it.
Thanks for including me
Released 15 yrs ago (2/7/2009 UTC) at
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I have several items to drop at the PO today and will take this with the others
Delivery Confirmation #: 0308 0070 0000 7645 0806
I have several items to drop at the PO today and will take this with the others
Delivery Confirmation #: 0308 0070 0000 7645 0806
Just caught this today -- excited to read it. I have one bookring ahead of this on my list, but I hope to get to it this weekend. I'll send this one on as soon as I am done with it.
Thanks for including me in the spiral!
Thanks for including me in the spiral!
