Master of Petersburg

[Thomas Eckhardt]

I also enjoy "grim" a bit. Although I think that the protagonist's 
"strong opinions" fit the description, I have to admit that "Diary of a 
Bad Year" can be outright funny (something I thought I'd never say about 
anything written by Coetzee). As for the hot babe as psychopomp, perhaps 
Coetzee has given up subtlety at the same time as grimness...

More generally speaking, there is a fine line in literature between 
grimness/darkness of world view and pretentiousness. I don't think 
Coetzee is pretentious, but I imagine that the charge could be brought 
up against him. I am also thinking of Cormac McCarthy whom I have not 
read. Any thoughts?

Thomas