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sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
3.0
The book seem to part of a really long series (of which only two parts are published so far) that will allegorise life of Jesus and which Coetzee is still working on - and that might perhaps explain why it seems to unsatisfying as a story - or rather as a part of a story. Coetzee's books are often as strong as ideas discussed in them but, in this case, the ideas didn't hit me with the force I have gotten used to be expecting.
luvdass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
savaging's review against another edition
4.0
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.
verityeleanor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jonahtriestoread's review against another edition
3.0
I do not want children after reading this book.
mboegh's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Wauw! En smuk bog om at finde vej og finde ud af hvem man er eller var.
pharmadelica's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. Seems at first glance like it's going to be the most boring book ever, and then you crack it open and it just grabs you.
chrisb0905's review against another edition
2.0
Felt like it should be deeper but it wasn't. Raised some interesting questions but didn't make me care.