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Life and Times of Michael K

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Life and Times of Michael K

By: J. M. Coetzee
Narrated by: Jack Klaff
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About this listen

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.

©1983 J M Coetzee (P)2014 AudioGo Ltd. Published by Random House Audiobooks Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
Very well read. Absorbing and brilliant. I will go on to get Coetzee’s other titles.

Fantastic

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This book deals with those who are sidelined in society, but which society still wants to dictate how they should live. This book also idealises nature as a place which continues regardless and a place which can rejuvenate people. Shame and self determination are dominant themes. Hard to put down and a great read.

Must Read

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Read the book a number of years ago, forgot the story for most part but remembered enjoying it. I thought Jack Klaff's narration is excellent, being a native myself, I really enjoyed his character voices. The story itself is typical Coetzee, the writing is terse and direct, but full of wonderful imagination as to the complicated inner life of a seemingly uncomplicated loner.

A fine book, engagingly read.

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Keep coming back to this book and especially since frequenting Seapoint and meeting the author himself at Simonstown Literary Festival. A masterpiece

Harrowing

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This is a beautiful exploration of what it is to be human in a threatening world.

Moving, thoughtful and gripping

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This is the first of JM Coetzee’s books I’ve ‘read’ - and I have loved every moment. He clearly deserves his place as one of the most highly rated living authors. It is a superbly original story, strange and sad, but with moments of ridiculous humor thrown in. It is beautifully written throughout. The narration by Jack Klaff is excellent. He captures the tone of the various characters 100%.

A wonderful discovery

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I am happy to have ‘rediscovered’ this author. I read Disgrace many years ago. This story is beautifully written and I felt fully immersed in Michael’s journey.

The narration lets this version down for me. The main narrative was good, but the voicing of each character made me wince - grating and unpleasant.

Haunting and engaging

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A searing reimagining of The Trial by Kafka set in a dystopian South Africa. Race is hardly mentioned, only implicit.

One of the greatest books of modern times

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