J. M. Coetzee s-a nascut la 9 februarie 1940, in Cape Town, Africa de Sud. Isi incheie stralucit studiile de literatura engleza si matematica la University of Cape Town in 1961, dupa care se muta in Anglia, unde lucreaza ca programator. Obtine doctoratul la University of Texas, Austin (1965–1969), cu o analiza stilistica realizata pe calculator a operelor lui Samuel Beckett. Preda literatura la State University of New York, Buffalo, pana in 1971, apoi la University of Cape Town, unde ramane pana in 2002.

Debuteaza cu romanul Tinuturi in crepuscul (Dusklands, 1974; Humanitas Fiction, 2019), urmat de In inima tarii (In the Heart of the Country, 1977; Humanitas Fiction, 2017) si Asteptandu-i pe barbari (Waiting for the Barbarians, 1980; Humanitas Fiction, 2014), roman care ii aduce James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Publica apoi Viata si vremurile lui Michael K (Life & Times of Michael K, 1983; Humanitas Fiction, 2009), distins cu Booker Prize si Prix Femina Etranger, Foe (1986; Jerusalem Prize, 1987; Humanitas Fiction, 2016), Epoca de fier (The Age of Iron, 1990; Sunday Express Book of the Year; Humanitas Fiction, 2010, 2016) si Maestrul din Petersburg (The Master of Petersburg, 1994; Irish Times International Fiction Prize, 1995; Humanitas Fiction, 2008, 2015).

Volumele Copilarie (Boyhood, 1997; Humanitas Fiction, 2010), Tinerete (Youth, 2002; Humanitas Fiction, 2011) si Miezul verii (Summertime, 2009; Humanitas Fiction, 2012) fac parte din ciclul autobiografic Scene de viata provinciala (Scenes from Provincial Life). Romanul Dezonoare (Disgrace, 1999; Humanitas Fiction, 2011) ii aduce un nou Booker Prize, iar Elizabeth Costello (2003; Humanitas Fiction, 2015) si Slow Man (2005) se bucura de o foarte buna receptare critica. In 2007 apare Jurnalul unui an prost (Diary of a Bad Year; Humanitas Fiction, 2009).

Romanul Copilaria lui Isus (The Childhood of Jesus; Humanitas Fiction, 2014) este publicat in 2013, urmat de Zilele de scoala ale lui Isus (The Schooldays of Jesus; Humanitas Fiction, 2018) in 2016. Moartea lui Isus (The Death of Jesus; Humanitas Fiction, 2021) incheie trilogia in 2019.

J. M. Coetzee este, de asemenea, autorul unor importante volume de eseuri filozofice si literare. Din 2002 traieste in Australia, fiind profesor emerit la University of Adelaide. In 2003 i se acorda Premiul Nobel pentru Literatura.