Skip to content

Waiting for the Barbarians
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians Paperback - 1982

by J. M. Coetzee

Moving and powerful, this book presents the dark tale of an aging magistrate in an African frontier settlement, who finds himself becoming increasingly sympathetic toward the indigenous "barbarians" that the colonial empire's forces brutalize.


Summary

For decades the Magistrate has been a loyal servant of the Empire, running the affairs of a tiny frontier settlement and ignoring the impending war with the barbarians. When interrogation experts arrive, however, he witnesses the Empire's cruel and unjust treatment of prisoners of war. Jolted into sympathy for their victims, he commits a quixotic act of rebellion that brands him an enemy of the state.

J. M. Coetzee's prize-winning novel is a startling allegory of the war between opressor and opressed. The Magistrate is not simply a man living through a crisis of conscience in an obscure place in remote times; his situation is that of all men living in unbearable complicity with regimes that ignore justice and decency.

From the publisher

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 9, 1940, John Michael Coetzee studied first at Cape Town and later at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. degree in literature. In 1972 he returned to South Africa and joined the faculty of the University of Cape Town. His works of fiction include Dusklands, Waiting for the Barbarians, which won South Africa’s highest literary honor, the Central News Agency Literary Award, and the Life and Times of Michael K., for which Coetzee was awarded his first Booker Prize in 1983. He has also published a memoir, Boyhood: Scenes From a Provincial Life, and several essays collections. He has won many other literary prizes including the Lannan Award for Fiction, the Jerusalem Prize and The Irish Times International Fiction Prize. In 1999 he again won Britain’s prestigious Booker Prize for Disgrace, becoming the first author to win the award twice in its 31-year history. In 2003, Coetzee was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Details

  • Title Waiting for the Barbarians
  • Author J. M. Coetzee
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: First
  • Pages 192
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 1982-04-29
  • ISBN 9780140061109 / 014006110X
  • Weight 0.3 lbs (0.14 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.5 in (19.56 x 12.95 x 1.27 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 930
  • Library of Congress subjects Africa, Allegories
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 81019188
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"A real literary event" —Irving Howe, The New York Times Book Review (front-page review)



"I have known few authors who can evoke such a wilderness in the heart of a man.... Mr. Coetzee knows the elusive terror of Kafka." —Bernard Levin, The Sunday Times (London)

About the author

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 9, 1940, John Michael Coetzee studied first at Cape Town and later at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. degree in literature. In 1972 he returned to South Africa and joined the faculty of the University of Cape Town. His works of fiction include Dusklands, Waiting for the Barbarians, which won South Africa's highest literary honor, the Central News Agency Literary Award, and the Life and Times of Michael K., for which Coetzee was awarded his first Booker Prize in 1983. He has also published a memoir, Boyhood: Scenes From a Provincial Life, and several essays collections. He has won many other literary prizes including the Lannan Award for Fiction, the Jerusalem Prize and The Irish Times International Fiction Prize. In 1999 he again won Britain's prestigious Booker Prize for Disgrace, becoming the first author to win the award twice in its 31-year history. In 2003, Coetzee was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel

by J.M. Coetzee

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Imperial, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
$4.74
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel

by J.M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • Acceptable
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
Revised ed.
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.87
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Revised ed.. Acceptable. Acceptable. Heavy wear. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
$4.87
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel

by J.M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
Revised ed.
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110x
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.94
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Revised ed.. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
$4.94
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by Coetzee, J. M

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110x
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by J. M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1982. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by J. M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1982. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by J. M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1982. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by J. M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1982. Paperback. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians: A Novel

by J.M. Coetzee

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.49
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 1982-04-29. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$6.49
FREE shipping to USA
Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Waiting for the Barbarians : A Novel

by Coetzee, J. M

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140061109 / 014006110x
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.66
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$6.66
FREE shipping to USA