The Disgrace Controversy - Professor David Attwell, University of York

In this lecture, Professor David Attwell discusses the controversy surrounding JM Coetzee’s Disgrace, focusing on the novel’s portrayal of post-apartheid South Africa. Atwell explores the intense public debate that arose in response to Coetzee’s depiction of racial tensions, sexual violence, and power dynamics, with critics arguing that the novel reinforces negative stereotypes. Atwell examines how Disgrace engages with complex questions of guilt, complicity, and the legacy of colonialism, while also addressing the broader implications of the novel’s reception both within South Africa and internationally. Through this analysis, Attwell sheds light on the role of literature in confronting difficult social realities.