Distinguished South African author J.M. Coetzee held a book reading and signing last Thursday in Sherman Function Hall, before an audience of students and academics from Boston-area universities. Coetzee was born in Cape Town and is currently a professor of social thought at the University of Chicago and a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He was awarded the prestigious Booker Prize in 1983 for "Life and Times of Michael K." and again in 1999 for "Disgrace." He is the author of eight novels. Coetzee has been on tour promoting his most recent one, "Youth."

Coetzee began the reading with the first chapter of "Disgrace," a New York Times bestseller. He then read from "Youth."

Josh Nahum '03 said he attended the reading because he had read Coetzee's novel "Waiting for the Barbarians" in the Literature of Global English (ENGL 77b). "It's interesting hearing how the author intends for things to be read; the tone he uses," Nahum said.

Wheaton College student Jean Transtamar said he came to the reading because he is currently taking an African American literature course, and had traveled to South Africa last semester.

"I thought that (Coetzee) was black, so when I saw that he was white, it was kind of surprising at first," Transtamar said. "I want to read his book because some of the places mentioned are places that I have been. I felt a small connection."

Coetzee had also participated in a creative writing workshop with students earlier that day. They were able to read and analyze a piece of student-written work with the author.

The event was co-sponsored by the English department, the Martin Weiner Lectures, the African and Afro-American Studies department and the Dean of Arts and Sciences.