Diary of a Bad Year
Diary of a Bad Year
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Brief
Beta231
Novel • Fiction
Australia • 2000s
2008
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Diary of a Bad Year, J.M. Coetzee explores the inner thoughts and reflections of an aging author, focusing on politics, society, and personal experiences. The narrative is uniquely structured, intertwining essays with the protagonists' personal diary entries and conversations, revealing complex layers of thought and emotion.
Contemplative
Informative
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
5,716 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
J.M. Coetzee's Diary of a Bad Year is praised for its innovative narrative structure, intertwining essays, personal reflections, and a fictional storyline. While some readers appreciate its intellectual depth, others find it challenging and disjointed. The novel effectively probes political and philosophical themes but demands attentive reading, which may deter casual readers.
Who Should Read Diary of a Bad Year?
A reader who enjoys Diary of a Bad Year by J.M. Coetzee is likely intellectually curious, enjoying philosophical and political reflections. Fans of Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being or Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending may appreciate Coetzee's blend of fiction and essayistic prose.
5,716 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
231
Novel • Fiction
Australia • 2000s
2008
Adult
18+ years
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