Description:
(South African-Australian Writer and Recipient of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature)
John Maxwell ‘J. M.’ Coetzee is a celebrated writer, linguist and essayist from South Africa. He was born and brought up in Cape Town and studied mathematics and English at the University of Cape Town. After that he went to the United Kingdom and worked as a computer programmer and went to University of Texas to do his PhD in English, linguistics and Germanic languages. After the completion of his doctorate he started teaching English literature at the State University of New York, Buffalo. He had to return back to South Africa because he was denied the PR in the U. S. He started teaching at the University of Cape Town and began the journey of writing from there on. He was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel ‘Dusklands’; he is also a winner of two Booker Prizes and many nominations. He not only writes novels and novellas but has also written collection of essays and fictionalized some of his literary lectures and memoirs. He is a proud owner of numerous honorary doctorates from the prestigious educational institutes from around the world. He lives in Australia now with his long-term partner Dorothy Driver and is an honorary professor at the University of Adelaide.
Birthday
February 9, 1940 (Aquarius)
Born In
South Africa
Alternative names
John Maxwell Coetzee
Height
183 cm
City
Cape Town, South Africa
Spouse/Ex-
Phillipa Jubber
Parents
Zacharias Coetzee
Vera Wehmeyer Coetzee
Children
Gisela, Nicholas
Relatives
David Coetzee
What are some common themes in J. M. Coetzee's works?
Some common themes in J. M. Coetzee's works include power dynamics, colonialism, morality, and the human condition.
Why is J. M. Coetzee considered a prominent figure in postcolonial literature?
J. M. Coetzee is considered a prominent figure in postcolonial literature due to his exploration of themes related to power, identity, and the legacy of colonialism in his works.
What is the writing style of J. M. Coetzee?
J. M. Coetzee is known for his spare and precise writing style, often characterized by its introspective and philosophical tone.
How has J. M. Coetzee's background influenced his writing?
J. M. Coetzee's background growing up in South Africa during apartheid has significantly influenced his writing, with themes of race, power, and oppression prevalent in many of his works.
What are some notable works by J. M. Coetzee?
Some notable works by J. M. Coetzee include "Disgrace," "Waiting for the Barbarians," "Life & Times of Michael K," and "Elizabeth Costello."