HomeLiterary FictionThe Lives of Animals

Cover of The Lives of Animals

Literary Fiction · 1999 · G

The Lives of Animals

by J. M. Coetzee

Elizabeth Costello gives two lectures on animal rights — and her son watches helplessly.

ForAll agesGenreLiterary FictionLength127 pagesRead time~3.5 hours

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Violence

None

No violence

Language

None

No profanity

Sexual Content

None

No sexual content

Substance Use

None

No substance use

Emotional Intensity

Barely any

Themes of animal rights, moral consistency, and the limits of philosophy

What this book is about

Coetzee's 1999 novella (incorporated into Elizabeth Costello) features novelist Elizabeth Costello arguing for animal rights with ferocity and philosophical rigor. Clean; appropriate for all ages.

Notes for sensitive readers

Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.

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