J.M. Coetzee and the Archive: Fiction, Theory, and Autobiography

This volume investigates the historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts of Coetzee's oeuvre by examining the rich archival material in the Coetzee collections in Texas and South Africa. It explores the prolific archival traces of Coetzee's early and middle work, as well as his more recent work, and a wide range of materials beyond the manuscripts. It raises questions about the tensions, contradictions, and discoveries of archival research and suggests that a literary engagement with the past is crucial to a recovery of culture in the present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive volume delves into the rich archival materials housed in the Coetzee collections in Texas and South Africa, spanning from the earliest drafts and notebooks to the research notes and digital records that chronicle his later career as both writer and academic. Employing a cutting-edge and interdisciplinary approach, the book explores the historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts of Coetzee's oeuvre, examining both the prolific archival traces of his early and middle work and critically analyzing his more recent work, which has yet to be archived. In addition to the manuscripts, the book also encompasses a wide range of materials, such as family albums, school notebooks, and correspondence, thus providing a multi-faceted exploration of Coetzee's interests, which span diverse fields such as literature, photography, autobiography, philosophy, animals, and embodied life. By navigating these diverse interests, the book offers an insightful examination of the archive as both theory and practice, raising important questions about the tensions, contradictions, and discoveries inherent in archival research. Moreover, it underscores the crucial role of literary engagement with the past in shaping our understanding of culture and identity in the present. This volume is a valuable contribution to the study of Coetzee and archival research, offering scholars and readers a deeper appreciation of the complexities and rewards of exploring the past through the lens of literature.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350230446