Diary of a Bad Year

Interesting Facts

• The book uniquely combines essays and narrative fiction, with each page divided into three parts: essays, the author's personal reflections, and a storyline involving his secretary.
• The main character, a writer, reflects on politics, ethics, and philosophy, mirroring Coetzee's own views on these subjects.
• The book explores the complex relationship between the writer and his young secretary, adding a personal and emotional dimension to the philosophical reflections.
• The structure of the book allows readers to choose how to read: following the essays, personal reflections, or the storyline, making it an interactive experience.
• Coetzee uses the book's format to explore the boundaries between fact and fiction, as well as the role of the writer in modern society.