This short novel, written in spare, economical prose, tells the story of a not particularly likable middle-aged Capetown college instructor who falls into "disgrace"because of an affair with a student and is soon reduced to living with his daughter in the bush and working as a euthanizer at the local animal shelter. A violent incident occurs, and "disgrace"takes on another meaning.
The novel is both merciless and compassionate ( not an easy combination to achieve) , and is also incisive in its portrayal of the changing world of South Africa