Once I lived in time as a fish in water, breathing it, drinking it, sustained by it. Now I kill time and time kills me

Once I lived in time as a fish in water, breathing it, drinking it, sustained by it. Now I kill time and time kills me

In the world of J.M. Coetzee, time is a central theme that often plays a significant role in the lives of his characters. The quote, “Once I lived in time as a fish in water, breathing it, drinking it, sustained by it. Now I kill time and time kills me,” perfectly encapsulates the complex relationship that Coetzee’s characters have with time.