Waiting for the Barbarians
“Waiting for the Barbarians” by J. M. Coetzee is a thought-provoking narrative published by Penguin Books in 1982. This edition spans 156 pages and is presented in English. The story follows the Magistrate, a loyal servant of the Empire, as he manages a small frontier settlement while turning a blind eye to the brewing conflict with the barbarians. His perspective shifts dramatically when he witnesses the Empire’s brutal treatment of prisoners, leading him to take a stand that ultimately brands him an enemy of the state.
Readers will find a deep exploration of themes related to power, justice, and moral complicity. The Magistrate’s journey reflects a broader commentary on the dynamics between oppressor and oppressed, making it a significant work within the realms of literature and world literature. Coetzee’s narrative invites reflection on the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals within oppressive regimes, offering insights that resonate beyond the specific historical context of the story.
Official synopsis Publisher
“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 http://www.powells.com (August 28, 2014).
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