The Childhood of Jesus

Book Review

John Maxwell Coetzee's novel "The Childhood of Jesus" has received mixed reviews from critics. Some note that the book is a philosophical allegory exploring themes of identity, memory, and human nature. Coetzee creates a world where the main characters, Simón and David, arrive in a country where the past is forgotten, and language and culture seem erased. This allows the author to explore how people form their identities in the absence of familiar landmarks. Critics emphasize that Coetzee's style is, as always, concise and precise, though some feel that due to its abstraction and symbolism, the novel may be challenging to grasp. Nevertheless, "The Childhood of Jesus" offers readers profound reflections on the meaning of life and human relationships, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.