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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I overall really enjoyed the book, but at the same time I feel the book thouches on many topics that doesn't always has a clear message and I felt like I missed some of it. Or maybe I'm just an idiot. Nevertheless it was a good book and I'd probably read more from J.M Coetzee
booksnpunks's review against another edition
2.0
Alright so after reading Disgrace and absolutely loving it I was so excited to get to read more of Coetzee's work. But this book was very different and I felt that the atmosphere was completely wrong.
It was about two refugees attempting to rebuild their lives after they arrive in a new country, and whilst the journey was interesting it was the characters that annoyed me the most. They were stupid, stubborn and didn't listen. I hated reading about them.
It was not Coetzee's writing that suffered though, as his philosophical musings and descriptions through this book were highly interesting. I'm just sad that the story was what let this novel down.
It was about two refugees attempting to rebuild their lives after they arrive in a new country, and whilst the journey was interesting it was the characters that annoyed me the most. They were stupid, stubborn and didn't listen. I hated reading about them.
It was not Coetzee's writing that suffered though, as his philosophical musings and descriptions through this book were highly interesting. I'm just sad that the story was what let this novel down.
pickle_burner's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t understand why this novel hasn’t received as much attention as his others. It is every bit as unnerving and ruminatory as they are. The prose is clean and deft. His meaning is not 100% clear, but being left with a mystery when you’ve turned the last page is often the best feeling. I much prefer the style and approach of this novel when compared to his more acclaimed efforts. Looking forward to reading the other two.
florismeertens's review against another edition
De structuur, personages en dialogen in dit boek zijn intrigerend, verwarrend en frustrerend. Steeds lijkt er een filosofisch punt gemaakt te worden over "het nieuwe leven", waar David en Simon zijn aangestrand, maar dan blijkt dat toch niet helemaal te kloppen. De keus voor de titel is op dezelfde wijze briljant irritant; als lezer blijf je David, een bijzonder en regelmatig nogal vervelend kind, vergelijken met Jezus, en probeer je de allegorie te duiden zonder bevredigende conclusie. Zijn de rigide leraren dan farizeeën? Is Simon als stiefvader dan eerder Jozef, of een Oudtestamentische God? Waarom is Maria/Ines zo onuitstaanbaar?
Ik heb het gevoel alsof Coetzee me een beetje uitlacht over mijn drang om het te snappen. Snappen hoef ik het ook niet, althans niet helemaal. Maar mijn aanvankelijke interesse voor de plot verdween naarmate het boek vorderde, en de lichte, allegorische stijl die me zo aansprak, kon dat niet voorkomen.
Ik heb het gevoel alsof Coetzee me een beetje uitlacht over mijn drang om het te snappen. Snappen hoef ik het ook niet, althans niet helemaal. Maar mijn aanvankelijke interesse voor de plot verdween naarmate het boek vorderde, en de lichte, allegorische stijl die me zo aansprak, kon dat niet voorkomen.
crysrowe's review against another edition
3.0
I hated reading this book ... I forced myself to finish it because I felt sure it was going somewhere. I was wrong ... BUT I am giving it three stars simply because it raises a lot of issues in a creative and unique way. I thought the story line was boring and I hated the ending, but he tactfully raised issues of mandated-education, home-schooling, alternative family structures, and government rules and regulations. I think it'd be a good book club selection - if you have a book club that likes to tackle tough topics.
bub_9's review against another edition
2.0
At the outset, I thought this was somewhat interesting - the contrast between Simon and the society he has found himself in, as well as David's rebelliousness as a way of expressing his own discomfort perhaps, are interesting ideas to which I can give some credence.
But because the writing is so sparse, and the background subject-matter so vague (kind of dystopian, perhaps?? but not in the emotionally charged way of say, an Atwood), it really becomes very dull very quickly. Many of the philosophical/intellectual allusions (eg to Don Quixote, or to numbers) never quite convince, feeling randomly plucked out of thin air.
It also feels like this did not merit 3 books of space. Really do not understand.
But because the writing is so sparse, and the background subject-matter so vague (kind of dystopian, perhaps?? but not in the emotionally charged way of say, an Atwood), it really becomes very dull very quickly. Many of the philosophical/intellectual allusions (eg to Don Quixote, or to numbers) never quite convince, feeling randomly plucked out of thin air.
It also feels like this did not merit 3 books of space. Really do not understand.
damopedro's review against another edition
5.0
This was great. What it's about... many things... hard to explain... it really makes you think though it's fairly simply written. I see there's a sequel coming. Can't wait to read it!
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
A middle-aged man arrives with a little boy, having been wiped clean of the memories of their former lives, in the country of Novilla to begin a new life.
They are named Simón and David and are promptly inserted in this peculiar society, where everyone seems to want the best for them, but are not particularly kind.
Having forged a strong bond with the boy, Simón assumes the role of guardian and sets as his personal goal to find David's mother, believing he will know who she is when he sees her.
And this is the beginning of this story about a peculiar boy who sees things differently.
I must say I found some parts very intriguing, especially the philosophical thoughts about life, death, men and the world in general, but I also feel I couldn't quite understand what the author was getting at.
I understood David was different. He thought differently and saw things people didn't see in things like numbers, garbage and so on and I understood the philosophical debate that created in between him and Simón.
But what was the point of all of that? Especially with that ending that was so anti-climatic.
I don't really like books with open endings and I think that contributed to my confused.
But all in all, it is a book worth reading.