Product Description

A first volume of memoirs, revisiting the South Africa of half a century ago, of a boy growing up in a small country town with a father he could not respect and a mother he adored. Coetzee evokes the tensions, delights and terrors of childhood, in a world of unexplained rules he knew he must obey.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2572 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 162 pages

Independent on Sunday
‘The economy with which Coetzee makes sense of his past is evidence, once again, of his outstanding talent'

The Times
'Coetzee has achieved something universal in his work…a fine book, probably the best description of a childhood I have ever read'

Literary Review
‘An uncannily accurate picture of the way things were in South Africa'

Customer Reviews

Brilliant!
This is one of the best books I have read on the subject of childhood. The narration of the young S. African boy is so compelling and emotional. Describing his fears, worries, his questions on life that no one gives an answer to. Coetzee has managed to sum up the (sometimes) terrifying process of growing up in one book.

Very real, very true and very touching. This book has melted my heart...

Twice-born
In this youth memories, J.M. Coetzee defines himself as `twice-born: `born from woman and born from the farm'. He is, first of all, a mother's son (`he clings to her as his only protector'), but `the farm is his secret fate'.
Growing up in a rude and unsocialized family with eccentric characters, with a father who becomes an alcoholic and a mother, for whom `studying is just nonsense' and `children should be sent to trade school', he nevertheless continues to study `normally'.
Through school, he discovers the real world around him: the different social classes, the opposition (and ostracism) between black / colored and white (race), English and Afrikaans (language), and Catholic / Protestant and Anglican (religion).

This clear, sublime, impeccable prose is a far cry from J.M. Coetzee's struggling `Beckettian' beginnings.
Its undercooled, accurate and still dramatic style makes this book a marvelous and moving read.

Self-indulgently evocative
J M Coetzee appears to be self-obsessed but via the third person. The device might be cute but leads the reader to think very carefully about the author/character relationship - decisions may be made that do not do Mr Coetzee any favours.... But, also true is the fabulous evocation of small town back woods South Africa and the damage that the past (and probably present) cultural mix does to young minds. It's a beautiful read but watch out for Mr Coetzee's ego.