Disturbing Reading: J.M. Coetzee's ‘The Problem of Evil’

Abstract

A literary representation can give us grief. J.M. Coetzee's ‘The Problem of Evil’ follows the crisis of reading of his main character Elizabeth Costello as she struggles to comprehend discursive images of evil. Costello's trouble with reading is not attributed to a cognitive deficiency in her ability to read the text but to a psychical disturbance she experiences while reading. Thinking through our ‘disturbances’ while and after reading gives readers an opportunity to rethink reading as affected by the thoughts and words of others.

Keywords:

• affect
• crisis of reading
• emotional life
• J.M. Coetzee