#ageofiron

In my New International Fiction class we had to read 5 books that had to do with colonization and the effects on the country that was colonized. The first book we read, then, was J.M. Coetzee's thought-provoking work of fiction, Age of Iron.

Personally, I really enjoyed this novel. Coetzee has Elizabeth Curren, a white old woman, write a letter to her daughter in a form that could be considered a "stream of consciousness". For this reason, some of Mrs. Curren's thoughts seem to stretch out which can cause certain readers to lose focus, and also, her main point. This is the central reason a good chunk of students in my class did not particularly enjoy this book. There are many allusions and images that are very abstract which some may find challenging and, ultimately, tiresome. However, if you thoroughly enjoy a good philosophical read, this novel should tickle your fancy. 

Besides the fact that it is written on the subconscious level, it is chock-full of the colonized history of South Africa and the inner turmoil it caused for both whites and blacks. In this aspect, it is very stimulating because you have the opportunity to learn about another country's history. Age of Iron is written from an older, white woman's perspective which makes it really interesting to see how she feels about the unrest and injustice during that time in South Africa, and how she perceives how the Africans feel about it as well. The novel leaves a lot of interpretation up to the reader, so if you find thinking about things for yourself particularly disconcerting, you should stay clear of this novel. Also, if you do not enjoy feeling uncomfortable about your ethnicity (especially if you happen to be of the white persuasion), then this novel is probably not for you.