Coetzee

J. M. Coetzee is a South African-born novelist, essayist, and critic. He is a two-time winner of the Booker Prize, first in 1980 for "Life & Times of Michael K" and again in 1999 for "Disgrace." Coetzee was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003. His works often explore themes of colonialism, alienation, and the relationship between humans and animals.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Coetzee spent his early life in the country and later moved to the United States for postgraduate studies. He taught at various universities before returning to South Africa. His writing style is characterized by its spare prose, intellectual depth, and often bleak portrayal of human experience.

Coetzee's novels frequently engage with the complex history and social issues of South Africa. He is known for his critical engagement with power structures and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals within oppressive systems. His characters often grapple with loss, identity, and the search for meaning in a challenging world. Beyond his fiction, Coetzee has also published significant critical works and has been a prominent voice in literary discourse. He became an Australian citizen in 2006 and continued to write and teach until his retirement.