The childhood of Jesus

Coetzee, J M

£9.99

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. As Simón and David they make their way to the relocation centre in the city of Novilla. 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.

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Publish Date: 07/01/2021

Description

From the double Booker Prize-winning author of Disgrace, ‘a moving story of lost childhood’ (Sunday Telegraph).

After crossing oceans, a man and a boy – both strangers to each other – arrive in a new land. David, the boy, has lost his mother and Simón vows to look after him. In this strange country they are each assigned a new name, a new birthday, a new life.

Knowing nothing of their surroundings, nor the language or customs, they are determined to find David’s mother. Though the boy has no memory of her, Simón is certain he will recognise her at first sight. ‘But after we find her,’ David asks, ‘what are we here for?’

The Childhood of Jesus is a profound, beautiful and continually surprising novel from a very great writer.

‘Powerful and poetic… This book will continue to act, silently and unexpectedly, on the reader’s imagination’ Financial Times

Additional information

Weight 268 g
Dimensions 198 × 129 × 20 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

336

Language

English

Edition

Reprint

Dewey

823.914 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K