Slow Man - J.M. Coetzee

I heard and read lot about J.M.Coetzee and his writings,impressed by him i bought this book.Of course his other book "Disgrace" is more popular than this book,i chose this book.Beautiful narration of a very simple story.As i read i was able to feel that the author was beside and me and giving me the visual display of the events of the story.

This is a story of Paul Rayment, an retired franco-Australian photographer.His life changes completely when he loses his legs after an accident.He is in sixties, divorced and no kids.The author portrays Paul as a man without qualities.He thinks his life will not be same again and he keeps that 'thought' always in his mind. He refuses to wear prosthetic leg, for him "It is out of Surrealism. It is out of Dali".

Marijana , the home nurse , is married with three kids, two daughters and a son named Drago, came from Croatia.Her husband Miroslav is a mechanic,they are a happy family.Marijana is assigned to take care of Paul.

Paul is attracted by her beauty and starts involves himself in her family affairs.After some days he confesses his love to her but she is not interested.An woman named Elizabeth Costella came to her apartment and stay with him.She is the real start of this story.She is an author and she says that she is destined to be with him. Initially Paul did not like her staying with him and sharing his living space. Till the end Paul does not like her. Then the entire story revolves around these two main characters.After he came to know the problems caused by his proposal , he wants to become godfather for Marijana's son Drago.He wants to have children but in reality he can not, so he wanted to help Marijana's family altogether including her husband.Most of the story takes place in Paul's house,for this story its perfect.

Paul Rayment want to he himself but Elizabeth insists that there is a different life all together if he goes out and venture.Its a dual of differences, very fascinating one. All the characters in this book raises different philosophical and ethical issues.In the end Paul is not interested in Costella's idea of going around the places, that show his character and the man he is.

A good read! Enjoyed the conversation between Paul and Elizabeth Costella.I like Coetzee's story telling.