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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Another beautifully written book with compelling and complex characters that make you smile and break your heart. I fell in love with the Dunbar boys. I have rated this a 4 because nothing can touch his 5 star, “Book Thief”.
The Book Thief is one of my favorite books and I started Bridge of Clay knowing what a high bar that would set. Thankfully, I love Markus Zusak’s writing style and could probably read his grocery list, because that’s what kept me going throughout this one. Something about this book just wasn’t hitting for me-maybe the time jumps? The length? But I just couldn’t get invested in the characters. I don’t regret reading this one, but I’d probably tell other Zusak fans to skip it.
Well, I finally finished Bridge of Clay! After starting and stopping several times for school and other books, it was hard to get momentum to stay with it. But, I'm glad I came back to it. While the prose is similar to I Am The Messenger and Underdogs, and is also about growing up and being boys, this does not read like YA. It's a weaving of stories of several lives that lead to the moment of telling. Great characters and beautiful metaphors. The shifts through time where a bit confusing, and with so much back and forth it was hard to remember what we know or do not yet know to put the pieces together. But, overall, a heart warming book about brothers and their relationships with each other and their parents.
Enjoyable, but not as enthralling as the Book Thief or I Am Messenger. It is worth pushing through, but a book that does take extra concentration to understand.
I love Zusak’s way with words, and found Clay and Penelope to be interesting characters—but the beginning was disjointed and made it hard for me to find my footing.
Minus one star for profanity. Other than that, great book.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marcus Zusak’s narratives are not linear but always poetic. You enjoy the slow burn of understanding the meaning of a phrase because the prose en route is so magical. Every description intentional and romantic.