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Cover of Waiting for the Barbarians
Literary Fiction· South Africa

Waiting for the Barbarians

by J.M. Coetzee
Aggregate Editorial Score10/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 1980English
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About This Book

J.M. Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians (1980) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. The Magistrate of an unnamed frontier outpost in a nameless empire questions the empire's brutal methods for extracting information from supposed 'barbarians.' Coetzee's allegory of colonialism and complicity is one of the most important political novels of the twentieth century. Themes of colonialism, complicity, empire run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 1980.

Awards & Recognition

ALA Notable Books
notable · national
198010
✍️
About the Author
J.M. Coetzee
South Africa
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waiting for the Barbarians about?

The Magistrate of an unnamed frontier outpost in a nameless empire questions the empire's brutal methods for extracting information from supposed 'barbarians.' Coetzee's allegory of colonialism and complicity is one of the most important political novels of the twentieth century.

Who wrote Waiting for the Barbarians?

Waiting for the Barbarians was written by J.M. Coetzee, from South Africa. First published in 1980.

What awards has Waiting for the Barbarians won?

Waiting for the Barbarians has received the following awards and honours: ALA Notable Books 1980.

Is Waiting for the Barbarians worth reading?

Waiting for the Barbarians is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 10/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in colonialism, complicity, empire.