Age of Iron is a poignant 1990 novel by South African author J. M. Coetzee, awarded the Sunday Express Book of the Year. Set against the harsh realities of Apartheid, it follows Mrs. Curren, a retired Classics professor in Cape Town, who is grappling with terminal cancer. Through letters addressed to her estranged daughter, she explores her life and the injustices surrounding her. Mrs. Curren’s life intertwines with that of Vercueil, a homeless man whom she initially dismisses but gradually comes to rely on. Their reluctant friendship develops amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and societal turmoil. As Mrs. Curren confronts the brutalities of Apartheid and the loss of those around her, she becomes increasingly aware of her own privilege and the systemic racism that pervades her society. Through harrowing events, including police brutality and the murder of a young man, Mrs. Curren undergoes a profound awakening to the realities of her world. The novel is a stark exploration of suffering, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships within a deeply flawed society.
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