Coetzee wins Nobel Literature Prize

Friday, 3 October 2003 5:56 AM

John Maxwell Coetzee yesterday won this year's Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Swedish Academy body described the novels of South African born Coetzee as evincing "ruthless criticism" of the "cosmetic morality of Western civilisation."

The Academy said of his work: "J M Coetzee's novels are characterised by their well-crafted composition, pregnant dialogue and analytical brilliance.

"No two books ever follow the same recipe."

The Afrikaaner's past works include the novels "Disgrace" and "Waiting for the Barbarians."

On hearing the news that he had won the prize, Mr Coetzee said: "It came as a complete surprise. I was not even aware that the announcement was pending."

Mr Coetzee was born in Cape Town in 1940. He won the Booker Prize in 1983 with The Life and Times of Michael K and again in 1999 with Disgrace. But failed to turn up for the Booker prize ceremony on both occasions.

It is uncertain whether the reclusive Mr Coetzee will attend the ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.

He is expected to receive a £780,000 cheque for winning the coveted prize.

Mr Coetzee presently teaches at the University of Chicago.

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