disgrace

There is something about reading a book especially about a personal journey that makes one want to go on one himself. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee is a novel set in South Africa primarily in Cape Town and a small farming village in the Eastern Cape. David the protagonist in the novel is professor of poetry and is a chair in Communications at the university he teaches at. He becomes involved with a young student which leads him on a journey to escape his desires and prompts visit to his daughter in the Cape. He becomes one with the land, and learns about humility and hardship. Soon he must face some of his inner demons and cast away his regard for some of his literary antiheroes. The novel is dark and poignant, though is a quick read. It is a great jumping point for some who would like to atone to their lack in picking up the New Year's resolutions that they may have already dropped.