This week for Book Beginnings on
Fridays and The Friday 56 I've selected The Childhood of Jesus by J. M. CoetzeeBeginning:
The man at the gate points them towards a low, sprawling building in the middle distance. 'If you hurry,' he says, 'you can check in before they close their doors for the day.'
Page 56:
'He didn't steal the money. He didn't steal the bicycle. Stealing means taking what doesn't belong to you while no one is looking. We were all looking while he took the money. We could have stopped him, but we didn't. We chose not to fight with him. We chose to let him go. Surely you approve. You are the one who says we shouldn't fight.'
This book is getting some fabulous reviews and I can't wait to get into it.
Coetzee received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2003 and has won the Booker Prize twice.
Curious cover.
ReplyDeleteAnd even more curious snippets!
I added you to the Linky!
The title of the book interests me though I doubt that it's really about the Lord. I'm going to check this book out.
ReplyDeleteMy Friday Post
I find the concept of "stealing" described here very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
Great 56 and beginning. It almost sounds like a kid talking to his parents in the 56.
ReplyDeleteNew follower via GFC
my 56
http://kimberlysnovelnotes.blogspot.com/2013/05/friday-56-30-feature-friday-29.html
Hi Brona,
ReplyDeleteSorry! I just had to cheat a little and check ths book out before I left a comment, for fear of making myself look completely stupid.
Even some of the noteworthy critics seem to be having trouble summing this one up, so it sounds as though this is just one of those books that you have to read for yourself, but reviewing it for others, whether it be verbally or written, is nigh on impossible.
The opening words would definitely make me read on, even though I would initially be barking up the wrong tree with their meaning.
There is also, in my opinion, a much nicer cover image for the book on Amazon.co.uk ... see what you think.
A powerful storyline and a good share this week, thanks.
Yvonne
I found a blog that highlighted 3 of the covers for this book here
DeleteI haven't read the book yet so can't decide which one reflects the story best, but like the other blogger I'm leaning towards the Aust cover for it's uniqueness. So far it's only out in HB, so I'm sure the pb cover will have a completely different treatment.
I'm sure this book will provoke a lot of discussion :-)
Ahhh... I was looking at this very book the other day in the bookstore. [Different cover]. I love Coetzee. Apparently it's out on the shelves here in Canada before the American release date, go figure!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the release dates have something to do with our Commonwealth relationship?
Delete