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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
I think, as I attempt to grapple with how to rate a book like this - it feels nearly impossible, to explain how it could match against books of similar ratings and rankings and types - of a Stephen King quote: "Go then, there are other worlds than these." A passing comment in the midst of this novel mentions that in this place they must learn Spanish - but in the next, perhaps, it will be Chinese. Commentary on the rising tides of cultures around the world? Of populations? Is this a story of other worlds or of this one? Or of some world in-between all of them?
It feels almost too pretentious but also entirely fitting that the best way to describe this novel is to say that "there are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio..." and perhaps Coetzee, here, is making an effort to consider them. Whether or not you'd like to do the same is entirely up to you. You will not be a better person for reading this novel, nor will you be some kind of buffoon for not doing so. But I feel intangibly and unquestionably enriched from having done so, so take that as you will.
More TK at RB:
It feels almost too pretentious but also entirely fitting that the best way to describe this novel is to say that "there are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio..." and perhaps Coetzee, here, is making an effort to consider them. Whether or not you'd like to do the same is entirely up to you. You will not be a better person for reading this novel, nor will you be some kind of buffoon for not doing so. But I feel intangibly and unquestionably enriched from having done so, so take that as you will.
More TK at RB:
My introduction to Coetzee, fantastically constructed, each chapter is a world of thought on its own. Excellent development of the fictional world, characters, their plights and intermingling fates. Lots of deep philosophic commentary, commentary about how we structure societies, how families are structured and what effects these arrangements have on the self and the hero's journey as it develops. While at the same time, Coetzee is setting up a unique and thick plot, in an interesting seemingly alternate universe to our own. Not quite fantasy, not quite reality, just augmented enough to give him license and play to bend the world into the way he wants to describe it to give his commentaries max efficiency without losing the trajectory and motivations of a novel.
This started pretty strong and strange. Very odd and mysterious, with some really wonderful touches that highlight the distorted ways we have organized our world. The title, too, is of course quite pregnant with meaning, and creates a nice ongoing puzzle for the reader.
Rather disappointing, then, that the book grows repetitive and ever less interesting as it heads down the closing stretch. What first seemed like fresh and strange semi-philosophical interludes become more affected and yield much diminished returns.
Worth a look, but in the end a misfire.
Rather disappointing, then, that the book grows repetitive and ever less interesting as it heads down the closing stretch. What first seemed like fresh and strange semi-philosophical interludes become more affected and yield much diminished returns.
Worth a look, but in the end a misfire.
This book is extraordinary in that it seems to adress so many topics at once.
It is a book about language, migration, memories, parenthood, discipline and society.... and probably so much more that I have not grasped so far. Arriving in their 'new life' by boat, Simón, a middle aged man, and David, a sixish old boy, need to adapt to the Spanish language as well as to the ways of society. The book raises many questions about identity and belonging, about the rules we live by and the ways we express ourselves.
i will definetly re-readit soon .... there are simply too many things in there to comprehend with the first read!
It is a book about language, migration, memories, parenthood, discipline and society.... and probably so much more that I have not grasped so far. Arriving in their 'new life' by boat, Simón, a middle aged man, and David, a sixish old boy, need to adapt to the Spanish language as well as to the ways of society. The book raises many questions about identity and belonging, about the rules we live by and the ways we express ourselves.
i will definetly re-readit soon .... there are simply too many things in there to comprehend with the first read!
There are two types of Coetzee: Very good and Excellent. Plot-wise this falls into the latter category, however I did find it stylistically pretentious. Definitely is his most symbolic and philosophical book to date.
This novel is set in an unnamed land at an unknown time. After a voyage across an ocean, Simon and David arrive in a new land where Spanish is the language used. As part of the decision to travel to a new land and start a new life, all arrivals are given new names, and their memories of the past are erased. The two have come together on the ship when 5-year-old David loses the papers giving the identity of his mother. Simon has taken on the role of guardian to the boy and, yet is determined to find the mother of the child, despite his lack of knowledge about her.
As the two find a home and Simon finds work in this new land, both have difficulty adjusting. Simon finds everyone too amenable, and yet unhelpful in answering the questions he has. He struggles with the lack of drama in his new life, and the expectations of acceptance that are laid before him.
David continually asks why everything is, why things happen, why he must do what he is told.
When Simon identified a woman, Ynes, he feels to be David's mother and she agrees to take on this role, he struggles to find a new role in David's life, where he can still have some influence on the boy. As David's rebellious nature leads to difficulties when he begins school, and the authorities wish to remove him to a boarding school for difficult children, Ynes is determined that this not happen and want to flee with the boy to another new life. Simon finds himself drawn into this plan.
This is another novel where my lack of feeling for the characters made it hard for me to like the book. I found the ending abrupt and unsatisfying. However the novel raises many philosophical questions about society and how we behave towards each other and those that are different, as well as the difficulties faced by immigrants to a new land. So a book that has intellectual weight and challenges, but did not reach my emotions or heart.
As the two find a home and Simon finds work in this new land, both have difficulty adjusting. Simon finds everyone too amenable, and yet unhelpful in answering the questions he has. He struggles with the lack of drama in his new life, and the expectations of acceptance that are laid before him.
David continually asks why everything is, why things happen, why he must do what he is told.
When Simon identified a woman, Ynes, he feels to be David's mother and she agrees to take on this role, he struggles to find a new role in David's life, where he can still have some influence on the boy. As David's rebellious nature leads to difficulties when he begins school, and the authorities wish to remove him to a boarding school for difficult children, Ynes is determined that this not happen and want to flee with the boy to another new life. Simon finds himself drawn into this plan.
This is another novel where my lack of feeling for the characters made it hard for me to like the book. I found the ending abrupt and unsatisfying. However the novel raises many philosophical questions about society and how we behave towards each other and those that are different, as well as the difficulties faced by immigrants to a new land. So a book that has intellectual weight and challenges, but did not reach my emotions or heart.
More like a 2.5, but I am giving this the benefit of the doubt, for now. This is my first encounter with Coetzee, and is apparently atypical of his normal writing style, but I read this only as a prelude to its Booker nominated sequel, 'The Schooldays of Jesus'. It is fairly easy reading, though somewhat stilted in its language, and fast paced - I am just not sure what it is all supposed to mean. It appears it is meant to be taken as an allegory or parable, therefore I suppose the boy in question must be some sort of Christ figure (although the child is actually named David - but that is a name he is given and not his 'real' name either). And though he seems to have some sort of mystical aura, he is mainly just a precocious brat most of the time. The ending is inconclusive, since the story is apparently picked up in the sequel right where it ended - which I can't say I am all that eager to continue.
Maybe this book takes the question of Jesus more seriously than any other text, Bible included.
I also struggled with the allegorical nature of it. A few of the long discussions in this book are about abstractions: in this new country, they eat bread and crackers, and Simon longs for meat dripping with juices. They women feel friendly goodwill toward him, and he hungers for lust and love. The philosophy courses are about the chairness-of-chairs, but he wants lively and dangerous thinking instead.
And similarly, reading a Coetzee allegory, I sometimes want a real story instead, even though real people are small and petty and real dialogue is bumbling and stupid most of the time, never approaching the big ideas of this book.
It felt like Coetzee was himself pitying his characters, for landing them in this odd book, where they couldn't just go about their animal business, but instead had to think about their thoughts.
I also struggled with the allegorical nature of it. A few of the long discussions in this book are about abstractions: in this new country, they eat bread and crackers, and Simon longs for meat dripping with juices. They women feel friendly goodwill toward him, and he hungers for lust and love. The philosophy courses are about the chairness-of-chairs, but he wants lively and dangerous thinking instead.
And similarly, reading a Coetzee allegory, I sometimes want a real story instead, even though real people are small and petty and real dialogue is bumbling and stupid most of the time, never approaching the big ideas of this book.
It felt like Coetzee was himself pitying his characters, for landing them in this odd book, where they couldn't just go about their animal business, but instead had to think about their thoughts.
David was one of the most annoying children I've ever met. He was arrogant, petulant, naïve, attention-seeking and demanding. A spoilt brat.
But I still found this story compelling. I basically read it in three sittings.
The chaos and uncertainty of 'where are we, what's going on?' kept me riveted. The philosophising stevedores were adorable and annoying at the same time. The bland, passionless world became more frightening as the story progressed.
I give you one paragraph (from one of the philosophising stevedores) that for me sums up some of the layers of this story...about the nature of the novel, what is real and how we know if something is real or not...
" 'Consider now history. If history, like climate were a higher reality, then history would have manifestations which we would be able to feel through our senses. But where are these manifestations?' He looks around. 'Which of us has ever had his cap blown off by history?' There is silence. 'No one. Because history has no manifestations. Because history is not real. Because history is just a made-up story.' "
Lots to ponder....
I suspect I will want to reread this one day.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/the-childhood-of-jesus-by-j-m-coetzee.html
But I still found this story compelling. I basically read it in three sittings.
The chaos and uncertainty of 'where are we, what's going on?' kept me riveted. The philosophising stevedores were adorable and annoying at the same time. The bland, passionless world became more frightening as the story progressed.
I give you one paragraph (from one of the philosophising stevedores) that for me sums up some of the layers of this story...about the nature of the novel, what is real and how we know if something is real or not...
" 'Consider now history. If history, like climate were a higher reality, then history would have manifestations which we would be able to feel through our senses. But where are these manifestations?' He looks around. 'Which of us has ever had his cap blown off by history?' There is silence. 'No one. Because history has no manifestations. Because history is not real. Because history is just a made-up story.' "
Lots to ponder....
I suspect I will want to reread this one day.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/the-childhood-of-jesus-by-j-m-coetzee.html
I read this in one sitting. I liked it, but didn't love it.