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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, October 03, 2003

South African writer wins Nobel literature prize

South African writer John Maxwell Coetzee won the 2003 Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday,according to an announcement by the Swedish Academy.The academy said that Coetzee, "who in innumerable guises portrays the surprising involvement of the outsider," will take home the prize sum of 10 million krone (about 1.3 million USdollars).


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South African writer John Maxwell Coetzee won the 2003 Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday,according to an announcement by the Swedish Academy.The academy said that Coetzee, "who in innumerable guises portrays the surprising involvement of the outsider," will take home the prize sum of 10 million krone (about 1.3 million USdollars).

Born on Feb. 9, 1940 in Cape Town, Coetzee is now living in Australia.

Coetzee's novels are characterized by their well-crafted composition, pregnant dialogue and analytical brilliance.But at the same time he is a scrupulous doubter, ruthless inhis criticism of the cruel rationalism and cosmetic morality of western civilization.

His intellectual honesty erodes all basis of consolation and distances itself from the tawdry drama of remorse and confession.Even when his own convictions emerge to view, as in hisdefense of the rights of animals, he elucidates the premises onwhich they are based rather than he argues for them.

There is a great wealth of variety in Coetzees works. No twobooks ever follow the same recipe.

Extensive reading reveals a recurring pattern, the downward spiraling journeys he considers necessary for the salvation of hischaracters.

His protagonists are overwhelmed by the urge to sink but paradoxically derive strength from being stripped of all external dignity.

A selection of works by Coetzee include Fiction:

"Dusklands," 1974.

"In the Heart of the Country: A Novel," 1977.

"Waiting for the Barbarians," 1980.

"Life and Times of Michael K.," 1983. (Winner of the 1983 Booker Prize)

"Foe," 1986

"Age of Iron," 1990.

"The Master of Petersburg," 1994.

"Disgrace," 1999 (Winner of the 1999 Booker Prize)

Nonfiction:

"White Writing: On the Culture of Letters," 1988.

"Doubling the Point : Essays and Interviews," 1992.

"Giving Offense: Essays on Censorship," 1996.


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South Africa hails Nobel Literature Prize winner Coetzee



 


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