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sebsharpe's review against another edition
5.0
Zusack is a genius. A beautiful book about a beautiful boy. Yes, it is slow at the beginning, but the way the story is woven and comes together so perfectly as a result makes it 100% worth it.
dweeb_'s review against another edition
5.0
Markus Zusak always gets me with his descriptive writing style and remains the only author I've read who can rip a full stream of tears from me with two, well planned words.
libbyluvca's review against another edition
1.0
Listening to the audio version of this may have been a mistake. Zusak sounds melancholy the entire time (though it did get better at 1.5 speed). I had to keep stopping and starting, because it was just too much of a downer. I think if I read it, it would have made a difference, but I still think this book was way too long. I hardly ever say that about a book.
j_coffelt's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at the halfway mark. I keep waiting for something to happen....
wormsinmysalad's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book over a week ago, but couldn't write the review then. You know how you enjoy a story so much that you need some time to think about it and fully process it before you try to describe the experience? That was "Bridge of Clay" for me.
It's a family story that gets it right on many levels: how multiple siblings can be identified as connected to one another but still retain enough of their own individuality to stand out, how a couple can love one another with sincerity and express that in ways that may not be understood by others, and how sometimes the only way to love is to let go.
My favorite characters in this story are the women, even though their role is pretty much only to explain the men. But they give the men such depth and complexity that you realize how their influence is shaping them and making them the people they were meant to be.
The story is inspired, emotional, genuine, and poetic. I had thoroughly enjoyed Zusak's "The Book Thief" and was prepared to be let down by this novel. I figured this book wouldn't live up to the first. I'm happy to report I was wrong.
It's a family story that gets it right on many levels: how multiple siblings can be identified as connected to one another but still retain enough of their own individuality to stand out, how a couple can love one another with sincerity and express that in ways that may not be understood by others, and how sometimes the only way to love is to let go.
My favorite characters in this story are the women, even though their role is pretty much only to explain the men. But they give the men such depth and complexity that you realize how their influence is shaping them and making them the people they were meant to be.
The story is inspired, emotional, genuine, and poetic. I had thoroughly enjoyed Zusak's "The Book Thief" and was prepared to be let down by this novel. I figured this book wouldn't live up to the first. I'm happy to report I was wrong.
joannepaquin's review against another edition
5.0
A paintbrush. A peg. A piano. And a shovel.
This book left me gasping for air.
It took me a while to read because I felt like I had to put the book down after every chapter, so I could absorb the lyrical prose. The writing read like a masterpiece, as something meant to be cherished.
Just as “The Book Thief” and “I Am The Messenger” have stuck with me, I know the story of the Dunbar boys will be something I look back on over and over again.
Thank you Markus Zusak for another thoughtful story.
This book left me gasping for air.
It took me a while to read because I felt like I had to put the book down after every chapter, so I could absorb the lyrical prose. The writing read like a masterpiece, as something meant to be cherished.
Just as “The Book Thief” and “I Am The Messenger” have stuck with me, I know the story of the Dunbar boys will be something I look back on over and over again.
Thank you Markus Zusak for another thoughtful story.
feistygriesty's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy shit this book is so good!!! So sad, in the most excellent way possible. And of course, a good sad book has plenty of humor and joy, too! I cried and laughed and couldn’t stop talking about it the whole time I was reading. Genuinely, this book is beautiful.
It’s like the story leads you to grow into knowing these boys, and once you know them that’s when you are allowed to see and feel the real depth of it all. The first half of this book is almost a tease- and it wouldn’t mean as much if it were written any other way. Brilliant and captivating. Compelling and nuanced. Can’t wait to reread it.
It’s like the story leads you to grow into knowing these boys, and once you know them that’s when you are allowed to see and feel the real depth of it all. The first half of this book is almost a tease- and it wouldn’t mean as much if it were written any other way. Brilliant and captivating. Compelling and nuanced. Can’t wait to reread it.
stressedscientist's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
clairety's review against another edition
2.0
Beautiful prose, but it could not carry the wandering long story.