Article: FICTION; Laureate's lessons; "Elizabeth Costello" speaks her mind for Nobel-winning author J.M. Coetzee.(ENTERTAINMENT)

Byline: Kristin Tillotson; Staff Writer

For a writer, it's never a bad year to win the Nobel Prize. But J.M. Coetzee's recent award and its ensuing media attention might be poorly timed for readers unfamiliar with and newly curious about the South African author's work.

Those who have not read Coetzee might be tempted to pick up his latest book first, fortuitously published the week after the Oct. 2 announcement. But "Elizabeth Costello" is not an inviting introduction to Coetzee's 16-title oeuvre. The novel "Disgrace," for which he won his second Booker Prize in 1999, is a far better choice.

That said, "Elizabeth Costello" likely will appeal ...

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