Introduction: Towards the Embodied Fiction of J. M. Coetzee

This introduction presents the central theme of disability in J.M. Coetzee’s work, situating it within broader literary, ethical, and political discourses. It highlights the connection between Coetzee’s formal innovations and his representations of disability, which challenge normative discourses of power. Drawing on the concept of narrative ethics, the chapter argues that Coetzee’s fiction provides counter-ableist critiques through its textual and narrative disruptions. Using disability studies as a critical framework, the book examines how Coetzee’s novels confront dominant cultural narratives, while reflecting on the intersections of form, embodiment, and ethics. The introduction also outlines the organisation of the chapters, detailing how the chronological structure of the analysis follows the publication order of Coetzee’s novels to trace the development of his representations of disability over time. This approach allows readers to see how Coetzee’s engagement with disability evolves alongside the shifting political and cultural landscapes he has witnessed.