In the Heart of the Country

A South African farmer's daughter narrates—in 266 numbered paragraphs—the real or imagined events after her father takes a Black mistress. Coetzee's second novel is a stark, disturbing exploration of loneliness, desire, and colonial power.

In the Heart of the Country was written by J.M. Coetzee, from South Africa. First published in 1977.

In the Heart of the Country has received the following awards and honours: ALA Notable Books 1977.

In the Heart of the Country is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 10/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in apartheid, isolation, colonialism.

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In the Heart of the Country is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

In the Heart of the Country originates from South Africa's literary tradition. Explore more books from South Africa on our country page.