Plot Summary

The Schooldays of Jesus

J. M. Coetzee
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The Schooldays of Jesus

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

Book Brief

J. M. Coetzee

The Schooldays of Jesus

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Unnamed town, fictional land

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Schooldays of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee follows six-year-old Davíd, who, along with his guardians Simón and Inés, arrives in the fictional town of Estrella to avoid separation by officials. Davíd attends a dance academy led by Ana Magdalena, becomes entangled in a murder involving the janitor Dmitri, and the novel delves into themes of spirituality and the journey between life and death. The book includes sensitive topics related to murder and sexual misconduct.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.7

3,044 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

J. M. Coetzee's The Schooldays of Jesus is a contemplative novel, praised for its philosophical depth and Coetzee's distinctive prose. Critics commend its intriguing exploration of meaning and identity, though some find its abstract narrative challenging and emotionally detached. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read, best suited for fans of reflective literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Schooldays of Jesus?

Readers who enjoyed J. M. Coetzee’s Disgrace or Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist will appreciate The Schooldays of Jesus. This novel is ideal for those intrigued by philosophical inquiries, abstract narrative style, and themes of existential exploration. It resonates with readers of literary fiction that delves into metaphysical and moral questions.

3.7

3,044 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Unnamed town, fictional land

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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