Get a Life (novel)

Get a Life is a 2005 novel by Nadine Gordimer, a South African writer and Nobel laureate. The novel explores themes of illness, identity, environmentalism, and the complexities of relationships in a post-apartheid South Africa.

The story centers around Paul Bannerman, a young conservationist who is diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The treatment for his illness, involving radioactive iodine, forces him into quarantine and disrupts his life, leading him to re-evaluate his priorities and his relationship with his wife, Carol.

The novel delves into the impact of Paul's illness not only on his personal life but also on his perception of the world around him. His experience with radiation poisoning draws parallels to the broader environmental concerns of pollution and degradation, a recurring theme in Gordimer's work. Carol, a researcher studying the effects of industrialization on rural communities, also experiences a shift in perspective as she grapples with Paul's illness and the ethical dilemmas of her own work.

Get a Life is noted for its insightful portrayal of contemporary South Africa, addressing the social and political issues that continue to shape the nation while also exploring the universal human experiences of illness, loss, and the search for meaning.