Life & Times of Michael K by J M Coetzee
Set in South Africa during a civil war, the novel follows the journey of Michael K, a simple gardener with a cleft lip. When his mother falls ill, he attempts to take her back to her rural birthplace. After she dies en route, Michael continues the journey alone, struggling to survive in a war-torn landscape, while also being caught up in the bureaucratic red tape of the dystopian society. The story explores themes of freedom, survival, and the human spirit's resilience against adversity.
The 1214th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1983
- Nationality
- South African
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 250
- Words
- 58,000
- Original Language
- English
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This book is on the following lists:
- 78th on In Which These Are the 100 Greatest Novels (ThisRecording.com)
- Man Booker Prize (Man Booker Prize)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century (Zimbabwe International Book Fair)