Age of Iron

On one level I really liked Age of Iron. Coetzee doesnt hold back on his brutal account of a country broken by apartheid. And much of the dialogue between the dying woman and her homeless friend is most thought-provoking. However the author has a tendency to over-cook the dialogue, stretching to the point of being a dissertation of all the evils of mankind. It is as if Coetzee couldnt restrain himself from telling the world how smart he is. Message to Coetzee: less would have be more, much more.lt;P>Bottom line: certainly an intriguing yet rather flawed novel.

As Coetzees protaganist slowly expires, she uses an epistolary technique, the book is a long letter, to her daughter, who has escaped the daily horror of a gruesome war, by traveling to America. The book illustrates graphically, the culmination of the abuse of a huge majority, simply because of the color of their skin. While Coetzees protaganist finds the concept of apartheid anathema, she has lived her life in the isolated world of the white of South Africa. In these last days, she comes face to face with the reality of the rest of South Africa. And, her reaction intensifies, as her emotion follows, through the final days of her life.

This book is highly recommended to those who wish to experience the true feelings and horror that affect those involved in day to day combat, on the streets where you live. Coetzee characterizes feelings and mental processes in a way that is truly outstanding. It is a very worthwhile venture to read this book from Coetzee. It is not time spent in vain.