J. M. Coetzee: Youth, Kartoniert / Broschiert

Short description

In "Die jungen Jahre" setzt der große südafrikanische Romancier J. M. Coetzee seine mit "Der Junge" begonnene Autobiographie fort. "Im richtigen Leben, so scheint es, kann er nur eins richtig: unglücklich sein", lautet das Fazit des jungen Studenten. Anfang der 60er Jahre kann er der Enge und politischen Situation Südafrikas in seine Traumstadt entrinnen: London. Doch obwohl er als Mathematiker rasch eine Stelle als Programmierer bei IBM findet, gelingt es ihm nicht, heimisch zu werden. Er fühlt sich als Außenseiter und Büromensch, während er sich insgeheim danach sehnt, dass der Dichter in ihm zum Ausbruch kommt oder wenigstens eine schöne Frau ihm ihre Liebe schenkt und ihn so zu unvergänglichen Versen inspiriert. 'One of the finest authors writing in the English language today' The Times

Description

Youth 's narrator, a student in 1950s South Africa, has long been plotting an escape from his native country. Studying mathematics, reading poetry, saving money, he tries to ensure that when he arrives in the real world he will be prepared to experience life to its full intensity, and transform it into art. Arriving at last in London, however, he finds neither poetry nor romance. Instead he succumbs to the monotony of life as a computer programmer, from which random, loveless affairs offer no relief. Devoid of inspiration, he stops writing and begins a dark pilgrimage in which he is continually tested and continually found wanting.

Set against the background of the 1960s, Youth is a remarkable portrait of a consciousness turning in on itself. J. M. Coetzee explores a young man's struggle to find his way in the world with tenderness and a fierce clarity.

Review

"Brilliant...a remarkable feat" Sunday Times

Blurb

New novel in paperback from Coetzee, the only author ever to have won the Booker Prize twice. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, this is an evocative portrait of a consciousness turning in on itself, and of a young man's struggle to find his way in the world. "Only a writer as great as Coetzee is capable of infusing meditation on the spoilt hope of youth with such clarity, fluency and poise" "Daily Mail". "Brilliant. A remarkable feat" "Sunday Times".