The novel is split into three parts.
The novel begins with Michael K, a poor man with a cleft lip who has spent his childhood in institutions and works as a gardener in Cape Town. Michael tends to his mother who … See more

Michael K (K)
A simple man born in South Africa, K bears the deformity of a cleft lip. K's central role is underscored by his appearance—he is deformed and because of this, people look down upon him. His mother, the police, … See more

The value of human life
Michael K is often seen as a parasite, or unskilled worker throughout this book. He doesn't have a very high social status and he is aware of that. At times he purposely acts dumb, like not speaking, because he knows he can get … See more