I've heard of JM Coetzee but haven't read any of his work. Have any of y'all read any of this Seth Efrican's novels and if so, what do you think?

Yes, AnnaStrophic, I've read them all, plus his autobiography "Boyhood, scenes from a provincial life". J M Coetzee has been on my 'must read' list for some years. A superb writer about the human [specifically South African] condition. In the last year or so, he and his family emigrated to South Australia, where he now works. We're delighted to have him amongst us.