Nthikeng Mohlele joined Polity SA to discuss his new book, Michael K – a response to JM Coetzee’s masterpiece, Life and Times of Michael K.

Asked whether he knows if Coetzee has read his book, and whether he thinks he has done the character of Michael K justice, Mohlele says:

‘I am not sure if JM Coetzee has read the book; that has never been my concern. My concern has been to reflect on a work of art that happens to be a very important cultural product in the South African literary canon.

‘So from that point of view, I think I have done it justice. The way I work as an artist, a work would never see the light of day, as in be published and be on the shelf, unless I was absolutely convinced I have given it my all as an artist.

‘So the answer is an emphatic “yes”, I think I have done my best. I stand by the book and I’m very proud of the book.’

Watch the video:

• Read: ‘Nthikeng Mohlele is now my favourite contemporary South African novelist’ – Eusebius McKaiser’s rave review of Michael K

Categories Fiction South Africa

Tags JM Coetzee Michael K Nthikeng Mohlele Pan Macmillan SA Polity SA Videos