I Am the Clay

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Summary: I am the Clay by Chaim Potok
Review: I Am The Clay is a story of suffering and civilians caught in the crossfire of the Korean War. However, I believed the story was repetitive and predictable. It was mainly told from the perspective of an old man. Much of the narration is in fragmented sentences, in which the characters' emotions are poorly articulated. A big portion of the story involves the old man stating his disapproval of his wife's obstinacy. The old couple abandons their home, finds a child, makes it to a refugee camp, and comes back home. The events have no effect on their perspective of each other or life.
I found the beliefs of the characters of I Am The Clay to be interesting. They believed in spirits that protect them, despite the hardships they had been through.
I preferred The Chosen, the author's previous book; the characters of that book articulate more than their most superficial feelings.


Rating:
Summary: I am the Clay is a good book
Review: . I enjoyed it thoroughly and would give it an 8 of 10 or four stars ****. I liked how the story was told in three points of view and how it went into detail. At the beginning the story was a little boring because it was over descriptive and there wasn't any action or conversation, but at the middle and the end it became more of a story than a description. Another problem was at the beginning of the story, the characters weren't introduced yet and the perspectives switched about every three paragraphs so I didn't know who was thinking and it confused me. I would recommend it to anyone in high school or older. When the boy was emotional the sentences would be run-ons, which I had mixed feelings about because they were run-ons but they conveyed his feelings better than a regular sentence ever could. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it's definitely up there

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Summary: thick like the clay
Review: An understanding of suffering, but yet exiting, not as good as chaim potok's other novels, but boring enough.

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Summary: I Am not the Clay
Review: Chaim Potok uses very vivid writing to portray the many dramatic scenes in this book. Clear images form in your mind as you read about a war torn Korea and the many hopeless lives of people escaping their doom. When hope seems to be lost, it is regained and keeps you on your toes wanting more. New worlds and ideas are brought into your head as you learn about a different culture during a horrible time. Characters with rich personalities are running from the blackened earth and dismembered corpses while trying to gain safety and essentials for living. Sickness and death overcome many, and sadness hampers those who are living.
Even though Chaim Potok uses poetic and vivid writing, he lacks substance. This story gives the reader a very confused feeling as they try to figure from which point of view certain events are being described. Stories of the past are being told by characters who are remembering the good times before the war, but who is actually speaking? This aspect of the book leaves characters seeming drier than Potok intended to portray them and gives the reader a sense of being lost, ultimately eliminating the books adhesiveness.
The actual plot in this story is very dry as well. There is no ultimate goal for the characters to reach other than survival. If there were something the characters were trying to achieve, it would make the story much more interesting and compelling because it would add more variables to the plot. Unfortunately, a strong plot is greatly needed for a story to be worth reading, and this book lacks that aspect which decreases the value of the book.
This book is not worth reading unless you are just looking to read a great writing style. The book is not purposeful enough and does not sufficiently contribute to the world of literature. Just a little more thought into the plot and moral of the story would make this a top-notch book.

Rating:
Summary: I am the Clay good but not perfect
Review: I enjoyed it thoroughly and would give it an 8 of 10 or four stars ****. I liked how the story was told in three points of view and how it went into detail. At the beginning the story was a little boring because it was over descriptive and there wasn't any action or conversation, but at the middle and the end it became more of a story than a description. Another problem was at the beginning of the story, the characters weren't introduced yet and the perspectives switched about every three paragraphs so I didn't know who was thinking and it confused me. I would recommend it to anyone in high school or older. When the boy was emotional the sentences would be run-ons, which I had mixed feelings about because they were run-ons but they conveyed his feelings better than a regular sentence ever could. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it's up there.

Rating:
Summary: I am the Clay is a great book
Review: I enjoyed it thoroughly and would give it four stars ****. I liked how the story was told in three points of view and how it went into detail. At the beginning the story was a little boring because it was over descriptive and there wasn't any action or conversation, but at the middle and the end it became more of a story than a description. Another problem was at the beginning of the story, the characters weren't introduced yet and the perspectives switched about every three paragraphs so I didn't know who was thinking and it confused me. I would recommend it to anyone in high school or older. When the boy was emotional the sentences would be run-ons, which I had mixed feelings about because they were run-ons but they conveyed his feelings better than a regular sentence ever could. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it's up there.

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Summary: Good Lesson Regarding War
Review: I think the overall meaning and story behind I Am the Clay is a powerful one and that this book should be taught within Jr. High or High School. With that said, I had the hardest time reading this book. Potok's writing style is one that helps my brain wander while I'm reading, and I often had to go back and re-read sections. The beginning of the book is the densest with narrative description that's often told in 2 different perspectives and later in 3. I really became interested in the characters about mid-way through the book.

I Am the Clay will give any person who hasn't been affected by war in their homeland a glimpse of what life can be like. This was set during the Korean war, which was not that long ago, so I think we can imagine what it may be like today as well. No matter where you live.

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Summary: Potok is the potter
Review: Wow. I just finished this book. I've read many of Chaim Potok books and have enjoyed each one so much that I keep picking up another one. He is such a great storyteller. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this one. Most of his books center on Judaism and this one seemed so different than his other writings. I wondered how he would manage a different culture. However, what I have learned is that certain themes are universal to humanity. Heroism in the face of extreme conditions is a theme that certainly holds true in the Judaic experience and in this book on the Korean War experience. Heroism to me is the ability to remain human and loving even under the most stressful and dire of conditions. The heroism of the characters in this book is so moving and heart warming. It is classic Potok. He leaves you thinking about the characters and their future long after reading his books.

Rating:
Summary: Potok is the potter
Review: Wow. I just finished this book. I've read many of Chaim Potok books and have enjoyed each one so much that I keep picking up another one. He is such a great storyteller. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this one. Most of his books center on Judaism and this one seemed so different than his other writings. I wondered how he would manage a different culture. However, what I have learned is that certain themes are universal to humanity. Heroism in the face of extreme conditions is a theme that certainly holds true in the Judaic experience and in this book on the Korean War experience. Heroism to me is the ability to remain human and loving even under the most stressful and dire of conditions. The heroism of the characters in this book is so moving and heart warming. It is classic Potok. He leaves you thinking about the characters and their future long after reading his books.