BCOO: Slow Man, J.M. Coetzee

Ah, love me some Coetzee.

Slow Man is perfect for the writing student. Basically, the climax happens at the beginning, then someone has to come in to force things to keep moving. That someone is a Coetzee creation: a writer named Elizabeth Costello.

The writer places herself into the story, claiming the main character "came to her." She never really explains herself, but keeps forcing the character to do things. She always gives the guy a choice, but makes suggestions as to how to be more active in life.

This surface stuff is pure gravy. The real story is underneath. It's all about love. The main character wants love, wants to be loved, but he doesn't accept the idea of love. Classic tragedy.

Can you tell I loved it? Coetzee is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Yes, I know. I wrote "love" a lot. Deal with it.

Almost done with: The Fall, by Camus.