louisemcroft 's review for:

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

4.0

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First off, I'll start by saying this wasn't the easiest of reads. Zusak writes in a very poetic and metaphorical way, which makes for beautiful storytelling but does mean that certain plot points aren't always clear. I found myself having to go back and re-read a few chapters or sections to make sure I'd understood what had happened or what was being said/implied. The language coupled with the fact that the story flips between the past and the present meant that at points, especially at the start, this was quite a confusing read.

However, if anyone else feels the same, I would thouroughly encourage that you persist with it. Everything that appears confusing at the start is steadily unravelled througout the novel and the significance of little things are made more clear with such an emotional impact. This story threads together the lives of the Dunbar family as each member is fleshed out and their histories revealed. It truly shows the impact that your past can have on you and the impressions we make on people along the way. No matter how small a gesture may be it can truly stick with someone. Overall this was a beautiful and intricate story that thoroughly absorbed me.