Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Cosola
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Expansive, touching saga of Aussie family's losses, loves.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
BRIDGE OF CLAY tells the story of the five rough-and-tumble, parentless Dunbar brothers and their struggle to raise themselves, focusing primarily on the life and hardships of the fourth boy, Clay. Though the building of a physical bridge is an essential plot point, the real story is much more about the building of metaphorical bridges between family, friends, and generations. The narrative moves back and forth in time, covering the young years of Penny and Michael Dunbar, the boys' parents; the missing parents in every generation; courtships; illnesses; family love and fights; and a few deeply buried secrets. Each step of the way, characters wonder how they will get through life, given the roadblocks they frequently encounter. When Penny dies, Michael walks out of his children's lives without a word. He slips away emotionally at first, then physically leaves them on their own. More tragedy strikes, and Clay and his brothers grapple with guilt, memories, and how to be there for one another no matter what else may come.
Is It Any Good?
Themes of loss, grief, and love reverberate across the generations of an Australian family in this sweeping, poetic novel from Markus Zusak. Bridge of Clay is slow to start and scattered at times. The story jumps around in time, with flashbacks within memories, making it occasionally hard to follow. The writing is beautiful in spots, and Zusak fans will find much of the flowery (and sometimes ponderous) prose they love him for.
The five Dunbar boys are easy to like. Their love for each other jumps off the page, and their interactions are endearing. Clay, especially, is a wonderful, interesting, and complex character. The novel is best when it's tackling issues of loss, memory, and how grief is different for everybody, even within the same family. The loss of parents and the way it affects those left behind for the rest of their lives form the basis of the story, as everyone in the Dunbar family has lost at least one parent, either to death, emigration, or abandonment. While the daily lives of all the Dunbars, especially their relationships inside and outside the family, are portrayed in great detail, some of the big and important plot reveals are depicted in a vague, confusing way. The story would benefit from tighter pacing and better explanation of the plot surprises, but as it is, many readers are sure to fall in love with the Dunbar boys and their fierce ways of loving one another and preserving their family history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about books and movies that jump back and forth in time, like Bridge of Clay. Do you find this an interesting way to tell a story? Why or why not? Do you ever get confused when reading books or watching movies that use this technique?
How do you feel about stories centered on the loss of parents? Is it interesting to you to see how different characters deal with such a huge loss? Does it help you empathize with people you know who have experienced this kind of loss?
Do you have any coping mechanisms or things you like to do to take your mind off your troubles? Such as running, painting, writing, or other hobbies?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 9, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 544
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 19, 2026
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