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Book Cover for: I Made It Out of Clay, Beth Kander

I Made It Out of Clay

Beth Kander

Reader Score

81%

81% of readers

recommend this book

In this darkly funny and surprisingly sweet novel, a woman creates a golem in a desperate attempt to pretend her life is a rom-com rather than a disaster.

Nothing's going well for Eve: she's single, turning forty, stressed at work and anxious about a recent series of increasingly creepy incidents. Most devastatingly, her beloved father died last year, and her family still won't acknowledge their sorrow.

With her younger sister's wedding rapidly approaching, Eve is on the verge of panic. She can't bear to attend the event alone. That's when she recalls a strange story her Yiddish grandmother once told her, about a protector forged of desperation...and Eve, to her own shock, manages to create a golem.

At first, everything seems great. The golem is indeed protective--and also attractive. But when they head out to a rural summer camp for the family wedding, Eve's lighthearted rom-com fantasy swiftly mudslides into something much darker.

With moments of moodiness, fierce love and unexpected laughter, I Made It Out of Clay will make you see monsters everywhere.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Mira Books
  • Publish Date: Dec 10th, 2024
  • Pages: 352
  • Language: English
  • Edition: Original - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.30in - 5.90in - 1.30in - 1.00lb
  • EAN: 9780778368120
  • Categories: Magical RealismJewishRomance - Romantic Comedy

About the Author

Kander, Beth: - Beth Kander is a novelist and playwright with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. The granddaughter of immigrants, her writing explores how worlds old and new intertwine--or collide. Her work has been described as "riveting," "emotional," "expertly crafted," and "habit-forming." Expect twists, turns, and secrets, with surprising heart and humor. Beth has too many degrees and drinks too much coffee. Her favorite characters are her dashing husband and their two lovely kids. www.bethkander.com

Praise for this book

"With engaging prose, emotionally rich characters, and darkly fun twists, I Made it out of Clay by Beth Kander is a modern-day Jewish folktale that boldly re-envisions the meaning of monsters." --Jean Meltzer, International Bestselling Author of The Matzah Ball

"Inventive and effortlessly full of life! I loved this fresh story full of relatable characters--and one brilliant new take on the stalwart golem--who together prove that even when life is at its messiest, it's possible to manifest survival, healing and love." --Deb Rogers, author of Indie Next Pick and Strangelings Book Club Pick Florida Woman

"An immensely enjoyable story of an imperfect heroine who finds a way through her grief and resentment with the help of an eager-to-please golem. Wry and absorbing and hopeful and just the right amount of grumpy." --Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands, a Read with Jenna Pick

"Full of dark humorous twists where a woman accidentally makes a golem and then tries to bring him as her plus one to a wedding. Beautifully written, it's an emotional journey, full of hope and healing!"
--Adriana Mather, author of #1 New York Times bestseller How to Hang a Witch and Mom Com

"Beth Kander's I Made It Out of Clay is at turns laugh-out-loud funny, gut-punchingly profound, and inexpressibly tender. All through the very entertaining device of the golem, a kind of 'ultimate protector' (and yes, now I kind of want a golem of my own), Kander's book gets at the unique pain--and importance--of opening your heart, even when it's broken, and even when it will break again. An examination of grief like no other I've read, Kander's book is not only incredibly relevant to the times we live in, but to anyone who has walked through loss. An absolute must-read." --Jenna Satterthwaite, author of Made for You