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Quote by J. M. Coetzee

“He even knew the reason why: because enough men had gone off to war saying the time for gardening was when the war was over; whereas there must be men to stay behind and keep gardening alive, or at least the idea of gardening; because once that cord was broken, the earth would grow hard and forget her children. That was why.”

Quote by J. M. Coetzee

Work

Life & Times of Michael K.: A Novel

This novel delves into the experiences of Michael K., a man living in South Africa during the apartheid period. It offers a poignant and introspective look at the challenges and struggles faced by individuals during this time, highlighting the themes of identity, alienation, and the human condition. more

Author

J. M. Coetzee
J. M. Coetzee

J.M. Coetzee is a South African-born Australian novelist known for his profound psychological insights and critical exploration of South Africa's apartheid history. His works have won numerous literary awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature. more

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“After Nicholas hung up the phone, he watched his mother carry buckets and garden tools across the couch grass toward a bed that would, come spring, be brightly ablaze as tropical coral with colorful arctotis, impatiens, and petunias. Katherine dug with hard chopping strokes, pulling out wandering jew and oxalis, tossing the uprooted weeds into a black pot beside her. The garden will be beautiful, he thought. But how do the weeds feel about it? Sacrifices must be made.”