A review by lucy_qhuay
The Childhood of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee

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.