The introduction to this collection of essays on the writing of Nobel laureate J. M. Coetzee begins, curiously, with a defense of literary criticism and theory. Boehmer (literature, University
of Oxford), Eaglestone (contemporary literate, Royal Holloway, University of London) and Iddiols (Royal Holloway, University of London) believe that the complexities of Goetzee's work, along
with its relevance to world concerns, make literary exegesis of his fiction and non-fiction valuable. The book is divided into Context and Theory. The essays on context deal with literary
influences on Coetzee as well as the effects of growing up in South Africa during Apartheid. The theory papers concentrate on aspects of the writing, such as desire, grief, gender identity,
social outlook and cannibalism (both real and metaphorical). Those who wish a deeper understanding of Coetzee will find much here to intrigue them. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland,
OR (booknews.com)
