The Pole

By: J. M. Coetzee

Narrated by: Colin Mace

An indelible tale of life, love, death, and Chopin—from the Novel Prize–winning author of Disgrace.

Renowned for his sparse yet powerful prose, J. M. Coetzee is unquestionably among the most influential—and provocative—authors of our time. With characteristic insight and a “brittle wit that forces our attention on the common terrors we don’t want to think about” (Ron Charles, Washington Post), Coetzee here challenges us to interrogate our preconceptions not only of love, but of truth itself.

Exacting yet unpredictable, pithy yet complex, Coetzee’s The Pole tells the story of Wittold Walccyzkiecz, a vigorous, extravagantly white-haired pianist and interpreter of Chopin who becomes infatuated with Beatriz, a stylish Spanish patron of the arts, after she helps organize his concert in Barcelona. Although Beatriz, a married woman, is initially unimpressed by Wittold and his “gleaming dentures,” she soon finds herself pursued and ineluctably swept into his world. As the journeyman performer sends her countless letters, extends invitations to travel, and even visits her husband’s summer home in Mallorca, their unlikely relationship blossoms, though only on Beatriz’s terms.

The power struggle between them intensifies, eventually escalating into a fullfledged battle of the sexes. But is it Beatriz who limits their passion by paralyzing her emotions? Or is it Wittold, the old man at his typewriter, trying to force intolife his dream of love? Reinventing the all-encompassing love of the poet Dante for his Beatrice, Coetzee exposes the fundamentally enigmatic nature of romance, showing how a chance meeting between strangers—even “a Pole, a man of seventy, a vigorous seventy,” and a stultified “banker’s wife who occupies her days in good works”—can suddenly change everything.

Reminiscent of James Joyce’s “The Dead” in its exploration of love and loss, The Pole, with lean prose and surprising feints, is a haunting work, evoking the “inexhaustible palette of sensations, from blind love to compassion” (Berna González Harbour, El País) typical of Coetzee’s finest novels.

©2023, 2022 J. M. Coetzee (P)2023 Recorded Books

A simple yet complex story about lov

In this book Coetzee writes about the enigmatic nature of love,the battle between the sexes,between a vigorous 72 year old man and a younger woman.like all of Coetzee books it is beautifully written and difficult to put down

Well-read and like most of Coetze’s work hard to put aside

Not sure I really liked the “staccato” presentation, meant to connect us to the music. At times it seemed artificial, almost irritating.

Sad but beautiful

I think Coetzee has a real knowledge of the human saul
He’s approche to maturity is sad bur thoughtful intimate poetic and sincere great book. Sad though

The discrepancies in details spoil the story

It is indeed disheartening when a celebrated author like J.M. Coetzee falls short in accurately portraying a foreign culture,

Creating a character with a name like Wittold Walccyzkiecz does seem like an oversight, reflecting a lack of sensitivity to the linguistic and cultural nuances of Poland. The discrepancies in details such as Chopin's burial place, languages spoken in Poland, and living conditions of word-class pianists can indeed detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. It's surprising that Coetzee did not take the time to cross-check these facts, as a brief consultation with readily available sources like Wikipedia could have provided the necessary accuracy.

Given Coetzee's background as a South African living in Australia, it becomes even more essential for him to approach a narrative set in Poland with thorough research and cultural sensitivity. It's unfortunate that, in this case, such efforts seem lacking.

While Coetzee's imaginative storytelling may have its merits, the frustration stemming from factual inaccuracies and cultural misrepresentations is certainly justified. It serves as a reminder that even acclaimed authors should approach diverse subjects with the diligence and respect they deserve, ensuring a more authentic and enriching reading experience for their audience.