'Bridge of Clay' by Markus Zusak follows the Dunbar boys - Matthew, Rory, Henry, Clay, and Tommy - who are left to fend for themselves after the death of their mother and the disappearance of their father. The story, narrated by the oldest brother Matthew, delves into the lives of the brothers, especially focusing on Clay, who takes a different path from his siblings. The narrative is not linear, with a mix of past and present timelines, challenging readers with its fragmented and poetic writing style.
The book explores themes of family, grief, love, and resilience as the Dunbar brothers navigate life without their parents. Zusak weaves a complex and emotional tale, incorporating elements like horse racing, teenage love, and a strong moral center portrayed through the bonds between the brothers. The story is a blend of sorrow, hope, and history, culminating in the building of a bridge that symbolizes unity and moving forward.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include grief, parental abandonment, childhood trauma, and depictions of cancer.
Has Romance?
There is a notable romantic subplot involving Clay and Carey, which plays a role in his emotional development.
From The Publisher:
The unforgettable, New York Times bestselling family saga from Markus Zusak, the storyteller who gave us the extraordinary bestseller THE BOOK THIEF, lauded by the New York Times as "the kind of book that can be life-changing."
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
"One of those monumental books that can draw you across space and time into another family's experience in the most profound way." -The Washington Post
"Mystical and loaded with heart, it's another gorgeous tearjerker from a rising master of them." -Entertainment Weekly
"Devastating, demanding and deeply moving." -Wall Street Journal
The breathtaking story of five brothers who bring each other up in a world run by their own rules. As the Dunbar boys love and fight and learn to reckon with the adult world, they discover the moving secret behind their father's disappearance.
At the center of the Dunbar family is Clay, a boy who will build a bridge-for his family, for his past, for greatness, for his sins, for a miracle.
The question is, how far is Clay willing to go? And how much can he overcome?
Written in powerfully inventive language and bursting with heart, BRIDGE OF CLAY is signature Zusak.
Ratings (3)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (18):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (12) | |
Not Interested (2) |
1 comment(s)
This was the first book by Markus Zusak I've read and honestly I wasn't as impressed as I thought i would be with his writing. I have heard a lot of great things about one of his other books so maybe I'll just give that a try too. Maybe this story just wasn't my cup of tea and I'll like his other books
What can you read after
Bridge of Clay?
About the Author:
Markus Zusak is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger, Fighting Ruben Wolf, and Getting the Girl. His newest, much-anticipated novel, Bridge of Clay, will release in October 2018. He lives in Sydney, Australia,…
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