In Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, South African professor David Lurie, after experiencing significant personal and professional turmoil, including estrangement from his daughter Lucy and a sexual harassment scandal with a student, retreats to Lucy's farm. His time there is marred by a violent attack and its aftermath, deeply affecting both their lives and capturing the complexities of post-apartheid South Africa. Contains graphic depictions of sexual violence.

J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace has been widely acclaimed for its profound exploration of post-apartheid South Africa, ethical dilemmas, and human frailty. Critics laud the novel's stark prose and moral complexity, though some find its bleak narrative and characters' actions difficult to engage with. Despite its controversial themes, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Readers who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous portrayals of post-apartheid South Africa and intricate character studies, such as those found in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee, will be captivated by Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee.

Melancholic / Dark / Contemplative / Unnerving / Challenging

- Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee won the Booker Prize in 1999, making Coetzee the first author to win the prestigious award twice; he first won in 1983 for Life & Times of Michael K.
- The novel was later adapted into a film starring John Malkovich, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008.
- Coetzee is known for his expertise in multiple languages and incorporated his knowledge of the South African socio-political landscape into "Disgrace," giving it a deep cultural context.

**David Lurie**  
An aging professor specializing in Romantic poetry, who struggles with the rapid social changes around him and engages in problematic relationships with women, including his student Melanie.

**Lucy Lurie**  
David's daughter, living on a farm outside Cape Town, who is independent and determined to navigate her life amidst the changing post-apartheid South African landscape.

**Petrus**  
A Black South African who transitions from being a laborer to a landowner, representing the new opportunities available in the post-apartheid era. He shares a complicated relationship with David and Lucy.

**Melanie Isaacs**  
A young student of David's, who becomes involved in a controversial relationship with him, highlighting themes of power and consent.

J. M. Coetzee

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Disgrace and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Disgrace Summary

Background

Disgrace Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Disgrace Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-12

Disgrace Chapters 7-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-18

Disgrace Chapters 13-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-24

Disgrace Chapters 19-24 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Disgrace Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Disgrace Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Disgrace Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Disgrace Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Disgrace Essay Topics

Disgrace

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Disgrace?

Reading Age

Book Details