Summertime
J.M. Coetzee
December 2009
272 pages
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FTC: I bought this one, as well. It was a total impulse buy, too.
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This is the first book by Coetzee that I’ve read, and it was probably an odd choice to start with. Nevertheless, it worked for me.
This is a fictional autobiography (as opposed to a fakoir). Coetzee is writing about himself, yet he’s not. And this isn’t the first time he’s done this. Boyhood and Youth are the first two books in this series, fictional memoirs focusing on his youth. Although to what extent he fictionalized his youth, I don’t know. Judging by Summertime, though, I’d say quite a bit.
Summertime is comprised of five interviews. After Coetzee’s death (the fictional Coetzee, that is), his biographer interviews five people who knew him…a former lover, a cousin, a crush, an acquaintance and a co-worker (and also lover). All provide insights into his personality. The book also starts and ends with excerpts and notations from the dead author’s notebooks.
Coetzee (the real one) is known for valuing his privacy. So it’s not surprising that, based on the few things I read about him, Summertime has little (if any…although who knows, there could be some) basis in fact. Which makes me wonder why he chose to write what he did, and what he was thinking as he developed the character of himself. Summertime does not paint a very flattering portrait of Coetzee (the fictional one). He’s socially inept, not very well liked, unkempt, and odd. He has affairs with married women, who consider him to be a lousy lover. He’s a lackluster teacher. It’s all quite depressing.
Unfortunately, as I haven’t read Coetzee’s other works, it’s hard to determine if any of Summertime was meant to connect the reader to any of his books. It would be interesting to be able to reflect back on what he has written. Still, the book was good, in a weird way…because it’s weird to read a book written by a live guy about his dead self. As I’ve already said, it makes you think, and wonder what the author was getting at. Does he like the format of the fictional autobiography and the freedom to recreate himself? Or is he really trying to tell the reader something?
What do you think? Have you ever read any of Coetzee’s books?
I’ve never read any of Coetzee’s work, but this does sound interesting because I would think each of the interviewee’s would see him as being totally different.
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Summertime was my first Coetzee too. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the fact that we don’t know what is true and Coetzee came across really badly. I didn’t like the writing style, the depressing nature of it all – in fact I didn’t like it at all!
I haven’t read disgrace yet, but I’m hoping the more conventional writing style will mean that I enjoy it more.
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This was one of my favorites from last year, For me, what was true about Coetzee and what wasn’t quickly became irrelevant because I came to see the book being less about Coetzee and more about the art of biography–how others perceive people vs. how people perceive themselves, what we can learn about an author through his work, and so on. All very interesting questions.
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I read Disgrace, which was really powerful but disturbing. Many years ago I also read Waiting for the Barbarians, which was fascinating, and still a little disturbing. I liked both, but neither was what you’d call a cozy read. I’d like to read his autobiographical-ish stuff, to see if I like that…
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I read Disgrace and it was a great book. I’d definitely read more Coetzee. This one however (or the series) does not intrigue me. Just the whole fictional biography thing seems rather pointless.
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I was eying this book as well. I hope to read Disgrace this year?
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I haven’t read any of his books, and I don’t think this one is for me. I guess I’d have to start with a different one if I give him a try.
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First off, I love the premise of this book. It sounds like any interesting concept. I have never read any Coetzee but I know I should. I have already been hoping to read Disgrace for awhile now.
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I would really like to read this one! I read Disgrace last year and it was absolutely one of the best books I read in 2009. It was heartbreaking and somber, but incredibly affecting and powerful. I was blown away. I can’t wait to read more Coetzee! I’m glad to hear that this one worked for you and has you interested in reading more by him!
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I’m trying Coetzee for the first time this year but haven’t gotten to his book yet. This sounds like an interesting premise though.
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