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suvata's review against another edition
5.0
This book is spectacular. The language is pure magic. The story is inspirational. Hariet is a adolescent girl who is wise beyond her years. She's had a challenging life but she finds a way to overcome, thrive in fact. I don't know whether to feel sorry for her or envy her. A little bit of both perhaps. Can't say enough good things about this book. Right up my alley!
bibliotequeish's review
3.0
This book wasn’t enjoyable to read.
The story was good. The writing was good. But I did not look forward to picking it up.
This book is very doom and gloom from beginning to end. There is no break for the poor little protagonist.
I understand that life can be like that, but that doesn’t mean I am going to enjoy reading about it for 350 pages.
The story was good. The writing was good. But I did not look forward to picking it up.
This book is very doom and gloom from beginning to end. There is no break for the poor little protagonist.
I understand that life can be like that, but that doesn’t mean I am going to enjoy reading about it for 350 pages.
stcase's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
marisacarpico's review against another edition
I suppose I didn’t need to log this just to DNF it, but whatever. I put the time in, I’d like to commemorate it.
Couldn’t stand the cutesy child speak writing. Character dynamics seem well drawn enough, but I wasn’t invested after 90 minutes and that’s more than enough of a chance imo.
Couldn’t stand the cutesy child speak writing. Character dynamics seem well drawn enough, but I wasn’t invested after 90 minutes and that’s more than enough of a chance imo.
baskinginbooks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
hailstorm33's review
5.0
Another book that I wish I could go back and read for the first time over and over again.
zeljana's review
4.0
This is probably the most beautifully written book I've read in a while, very lyrical but never overly so.
It kept my interest despite the hard topics it touches, mainly because the main character is exceptional. Ari is the youngest of six sisters in a family where the father was abusive and the mother an addict and completely emotionally unavailable. However, there is a lot of love in this book, which is about finding family and your own path despite the circumstances thrown at you. A very unique take on some overdone topics with many great characters.
I loved it also cause it feels very Canadian, taking place in Toronto, Cape Breton and Montreal in the 1960s.
It wasn't perfect, some parts kinda dragged on, but overall it is a really decent book. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
It kept my interest despite the hard topics it touches, mainly because the main character is exceptional. Ari is the youngest of six sisters in a family where the father was abusive and the mother an addict and completely emotionally unavailable. However, there is a lot of love in this book, which is about finding family and your own path despite the circumstances thrown at you. A very unique take on some overdone topics with many great characters.
I loved it also cause it feels very Canadian, taking place in Toronto, Cape Breton and Montreal in the 1960s.
It wasn't perfect, some parts kinda dragged on, but overall it is a really decent book. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
betweenbookends's review
3.0
3.5/5
The Clay Girl was bit of a mixed bag for me, I loved certain aspects, but I also had few issues I couldn't ignore. At it's heart, it's the story of how love, kindness, sharply contrasted against cruelty and hate, and a very active imagination sculpt the growing years of Ari Appleton. The story starts from when she is 8 to about 16 starting with her father’s suicide after some completely horrific things he does. The novel tackles a lot of dark and disturbing themes of child abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, etc. Whilst there are horrific moments that no child should ever have to endure, the story has moments that are profoundly moving and ones that are light and happy, sprinkled with humour and heart. Another aspect I must mention is the writing style, which is very unique, poetic & filled with metaphor. It did take me a little getting used to, but once I did I could really appreciate it. And I must add that it had one of the most haunting endings and I love when a book gives that aftereffect.
…
My main criticism is that I found the contrast between Ari, who is near perfect and her mother, who is the bane of her existence, a little too much to handle. Her mother and Irwin, her step father, are probably the most immoral, detestable characters you'll ever come across and the contrast is taken to such an extent that it feels unreal. I adored Ari and really rooted for, but I felt that her goodness was doled out too heavy handedly. I also found aspects of the Canadian law and police forces within the story questionable and doubted whether things really were like that in the 1960s. There were also too many characters, could have been over 30. The main characters do stand out but the remaining bleed into each other and it was cumbersome to keep track. For instance, Mr.Ellis and Mr. West, her english teachers, could have been the same person. They fall within 2 categories, either they hate Ari and would go to any extent to cause trouble, or they love her to bits and pieces. It was too black and white with no shades of grey and the problem is in reality, people aren't either extremes. I felt Heather Tucker went a little over the top with people repeatedly telling Ari that she's spectacular, every third paragraph. This again was something I couldn't digest.
...
It isn't a book I'd confidentially recommend for these very reasons. The metaphorical, whimsical and very imaginative writing might irk a few readers. But I'm still glad to have read it.
The Clay Girl was bit of a mixed bag for me, I loved certain aspects, but I also had few issues I couldn't ignore. At it's heart, it's the story of how love, kindness, sharply contrasted against cruelty and hate, and a very active imagination sculpt the growing years of Ari Appleton. The story starts from when she is 8 to about 16 starting with her father’s suicide after some completely horrific things he does. The novel tackles a lot of dark and disturbing themes of child abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, etc. Whilst there are horrific moments that no child should ever have to endure, the story has moments that are profoundly moving and ones that are light and happy, sprinkled with humour and heart. Another aspect I must mention is the writing style, which is very unique, poetic & filled with metaphor. It did take me a little getting used to, but once I did I could really appreciate it. And I must add that it had one of the most haunting endings and I love when a book gives that aftereffect.
…
My main criticism is that I found the contrast between Ari, who is near perfect and her mother, who is the bane of her existence, a little too much to handle. Her mother and Irwin, her step father, are probably the most immoral, detestable characters you'll ever come across and the contrast is taken to such an extent that it feels unreal. I adored Ari and really rooted for, but I felt that her goodness was doled out too heavy handedly. I also found aspects of the Canadian law and police forces within the story questionable and doubted whether things really were like that in the 1960s. There were also too many characters, could have been over 30. The main characters do stand out but the remaining bleed into each other and it was cumbersome to keep track. For instance, Mr.Ellis and Mr. West, her english teachers, could have been the same person. They fall within 2 categories, either they hate Ari and would go to any extent to cause trouble, or they love her to bits and pieces. It was too black and white with no shades of grey and the problem is in reality, people aren't either extremes. I felt Heather Tucker went a little over the top with people repeatedly telling Ari that she's spectacular, every third paragraph. This again was something I couldn't digest.
...
It isn't a book I'd confidentially recommend for these very reasons. The metaphorical, whimsical and very imaginative writing might irk a few readers. But I'm still glad to have read it.