Reviews

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

smartifa's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

tiegs_reads's review against another edition

funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

So amazingly written but honestly at times I found it way too mysterious to the point where I wasn’t sure what was going on. 
Maybe that was the point but I personally didn’t enjoy being in the dark with no reveal 

jbrownleo's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book...the story was beautiful, heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Wonderful characters that I fell in love with. I can see how the writing style might not be everyone’s cup of tea but after a couple of chapters I felt like it flowed very smoothly. I have quickly become a big fan of Zusak and look forward to reading another one of his books.

blairmahoney's review against another edition

3.0

I think Zusak wanted to write a novel like John Irving's The World According to Garp (which he mentioned admiringly at an author event I went to) or Tim Winton's Cloudstreet. Unfortunately, his great success with The Book Thief notwithstanding, I don't think he has the chops of either of those writers. I actually haven't read The Book Thief, but I read Zusak's earlier novels, and this feels like a massively extended version of his YA Ruben Wolfe books. It's not with interest, but it did get pretty tiresome.

birdwatching's review against another edition

4.0

First half of this book was almost impenetrable and I almost gave up on it entirely. The last half was majestic. It was incredibly difficult personally for me to read at times given the themes of family - particularly sons and parents- but that speaks to how well written those parts were. It rewards the investment, but it will depend on the patience of the individual reader as to whether they can push past the poor way that Zusak has structured the narrative to make the beginning so appallingly hard to understand.

twocollins's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is a slow simmer and study of how grief and loss impacts a family unit and individuals.

There is a lot of sadness, reflection, but also love in this book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent

jaysteady's review

5.0

Fuck me up.

emely_333's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

opaloo's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A very sweet story about boyhood and brotherhood. 

The first half of the book made me think I would become an emotional mess by the end of it, but the second half started to drag on and seemed to become over-sentimental. Regardless, a very sweet read. 

fhammond_36's review against another edition

5.0

Brutal, raw, heartbreaking, building up and breaking down. I started off thinking “who are these bloody kids”. And then “Ah, that’s who.” Dragged through it kicking and screaming. But worth it.
Matador in the fifth. More heart than Phar Lap.