However, I was surprised to find that this book had one of the most intricate, meaningful storylines I'd read in awhile. The language was vividly descriptive and had beautiful rhythm, and rather than causing me to lose interest, the triviality of events added a uniquely realistic quality that I had not experienced in literature before.
My own reaction to the text, combined with the discussions we had in class, led me to the conclusion that this book can be interpreted in vastly different ways. I think some readers take it at the surface level. They may become bored with the bleak monotony of Michael K's life, although the sheer beauty of the language probably compels them to finish it. I think one potential explanation for the reason this book has been criticized by teenagers is the prevalence of more cinematic plotlines in pop culture today. It was definitely an adjustment reading a story where nothing seemed sugar-coated or contrived in any way.
I think there were others, like me, who took awhile to accept Coetzee's style of writing, but eventually grew to truly appreciate the meaning behind the humdrum of Michael K's rugged life. I know I wouldn't have noticed much of this meaning without Mr. Allen's guidance or the insights of my peers, but I now feel that I have a greater sense of the reason Coetzee is so acclaimed. It is because the story is so ordinary and the events so natural that the characters are so human and relatable. And it is because of this realism that the themes of the story have such a resonant impact, leading us to question our own lives and the society we live in.
It seems to me that, much like Jane Eyre and Heart of Darkness, Life and Times of Michael K is written in a style that takes some time to adjust to. However, it's often stories like these that, once accepted and understood, have the most profound effect.
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