The Childhood of Jesus (Jesus Trilogy, 1) - Hardcover

Coetzee, J.M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846557267 ISBN 13: 9781846557262

Publisher: Harvill Secker, 2013

Synopsis

After crossing oceans, a man and a boy arrive in a new land. Here they are each assigned a name and an age, and held in a camp in the desert while they learn Spanish, the language of their new country. As Simón and David they make their way to the relocation centre in the city of Novilla, where officialdom treats them politely but not necessarily helpfully.

Simón finds a job in a grain wharf. The work is unfamiliar and backbreaking, but he soon warms to his stevedore comrades, who during breaks conduct philosophical dialogues on the dignity of labour, and generally take him to their hearts.

Now he must set about his task of locating the boy’s mother. Though like everyone else who arrives in this new country he seems to be washed clean of all traces of memory, he is convinced he will know her when he sees her. And indeed, while walking with the boy in the countryside Simón catches sight of a woman he is certain is the mother, and persuades her to assume the role.

David's new mother comes to realise that he is an exceptional child, a bright, dreamy boy with highly unusual ideas about the world. But the school authorities detect a rebellious streak in him and insist he be sent to a special school far away. His mother refuses to yield him up, and it is Simón who must drive the car as the trio flees across the mountains.

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS is a profound, beautiful and continually surprising novel from a very great writer.

About this title

Review:

"Allegorical, faintly biblical" (Sarah Sands Evening Standard)

"As ever, JM Coetzee manages to dodge every category with mesmeric cunning... This limpid, gnomic and surprisingly witty tale will take root in your imagination’" (Boyd Tonkin Independent)

"There are lots of traditions and tales mixed in – along with mathematics and a wonderfully poetic use of language" (Financial Times)

"Richly enigmatic, with regular flashes of Coetzee's piercing intelligence" (Theo Tait Guardian)

"Engaging and thoughtful" (Theo Hobson Tablet)

Book Description:

The mysterious, masterful new novel from J.M. Coetzee, twice winner of the Booker Prize and winner of the Nobel Prize

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvill Secker
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1846557267
• ISBN 13: 9781846557262
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288