Bridge of Clay

Lies. The release date is a lie. Its not out yet.

DNF - I just couldn't get used to the writing style.

Non-spoiler Review:

The novel follows the five Dunbar boys as they navigate a world full of grief but also promise, and how they, as five young boys, cope with this.

It's fantastically well written character driven book, and Markus Zusak's writing style is beautiful - it sucks you in so effortlessly. It's a true talent and it's no different in ‘Bridge of Clay'. Zusak takes you on a story that spans decades and lifetimes without it every feeling confusing or making you lose interest, and has you turning a page to read ‘just one one chapter' that becomes ten more chapters at midnight.

All the character's are complex and beautiful in their own way, and have their own stories to tell. Something that's hard to achieve when five young boys are the focus on the narrative, but Zusak manages to make them distinctive in their own ways.

Above all else, the book is touching and it will make you bring out your tissues.

It's another brilliant book by a brilliant author.

Spoiler Review:

I can't believe I let Zusak stomp all over my heart like that and I'm thanking him for it.

This book was incredibly touching, through the story of Clay and Sydney to the statue of Stalin and the Mistake Maker, every chapter you read bled heartbreak through the pages and it was glorious.

Whilst I thought the first chapter was a strong opener and left me intrigued, the next few left me feeling a little wary as they had me losing interest, and I don't think they reflect what the novel is truly like. I think they were probably necessary for some backstory, but once you get through those first few chapters it's only then does the real story begin to be told.

I loved each one of the Dunbar boys, to Tommy and his endless love of animals to Clay and the heartbreak he carried on his shoulders and wouldn't let anyone else share. Zusak made me love all of them, and Micheal and Penny as they were so well represented as a family. It truly felt like I was reading about siblings who were real, and a mother and a father who tried as hard as they could for the children they loved.

This wasn't a happy read, but that didn't matter so much to me. I found myself tearing up not only over the statue of Stalin, but also over Penny and then finally Sydney - whose death probably hurt most of all, because out of all of them in a way it was the most unexpected and therefore tragic.

It's a read I still don't fully understand even though I've waited a while to write this review, and I'm not sure I'm meant to understand all of it. I'm kinda excited for how in a few years time I could reread this and discover something new - something I love from the books I read.

A fantastically well written novel that I wish I could give five stars, but can't because the start was a little weaker than the rest. But either way, a book I would recommend again and again.