I first read J.M. Coetzee in about 3 hours one dark winter evening when I was supposed to be doing my maths homework. I picked up ‘Disgrace’ looking for a quick break from trigonometry and literally could not put it down. It was thrilling to be so involved in a story, while occasionally glancing up to see that the sun had set a little further in the sky.

Years later, I took a course in Coetzee while studying for my degree and read most of his work.

His writing is lyrical, evocative, challenging, thoughtful, nuanced. He has won 2 Bookers and a Nobel Prize. As a South African, he has a unique perspective on apartheid and the welfare of his home continent.

I would start with ‘Disgrace’ from which he won the Booker. It tells the story of David Lurie, a disenchanted communications professor based in post-aparthaid Cape Town. He seduces and has a brief affair with a student, hence his disgrace. He looses his reputation, his job, his peace of mind, his good looks and his dreams of greatness. He moves to the country with his daughter where he temporarily finds solace before (predictably) tragedy strikes.

Disgrace is as moving as it is troubling, and I wouldn’t recommend you read it alone on a darkened night. But, it’s a wonderful introduction to the beautiful world of Coetzee’s writing.