Reviews

Clay by David Almond

olivia_b2509's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

caenerys's review against another edition

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3.0

you know, this book was weird AF but it's stayed with me ever since. I still cant really tell you what happens. its just weird.

ambermariebee's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

gbliss's review against another edition

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5.0

Highly recommend. Highly. Almond tells a compelling, multi-layered story that unfolds and deepens subtly and carefully. He creates compelling characters and develops them in rich and surprising ways. The writing is beautiful and matches the story perfectly. One of the other reviewers below likes CLAY to a dream. This is a very apt analogy and captures very well the spell the book casts. This one that will stay with you long after you finish.

mikimeiko's review against another edition

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4.0

Almond's books tend to be a little slow at the beginning, but once they really start... wow.
What would you do if you had a creature who could do anything you want? What would you make them do? There are no definitive answers, just immense questions about life and death, about evil and pain, about friendship and love.

bookmark3brodi's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

gibsongirl's review against another edition

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

2.5

royaz92's review against another edition

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4.0

Is it just me, or the ending really was JUST WAY TOO anticlimactic?

livinggod_aramdomshifter's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

monetlilypads's review against another edition

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5.0

I read this book for my YA Lit course and I'm not sorry. It's refreshingly ambiguous while still covering relatable questions and topics. The touch of magical realism doesn't hurt, either.
I would use this in a classroom setting to discuss potential influences and how we respond to them. Davie is influenced by his religion, his friends, his crush, and Stephen, and struggles to figure out where he stands. I think many teens can relate to this and it would be good to talk about.

Warnings
Drugs: alchohol, smoking
Sex: no
Language: yes
Violence: minor/not graphic
Other: sort of pagan ritual, religious contention