The Clay Girl: A Novel (An Ari Appleton Novel, 1) Paperback – October 11, 2016

This is a very well written novel, so I was surprised to learn that it was Heather Tucker's debut novel. It wasn't a page turner, at least not in the way I usually think of that term. Instead, it proceeds steadily. I had to put the book down occasionally, once for over a week and that made it hard to pick up the thread and remember who was who, because the main character had five sisters and a variety of other relatives and friends. Thank goodness for the Kindle's search feature!The main character is Ari who is eight years old in the beginning of the book and we see her grow and change over the following eight years, but it is more than a coming of age novel. The story is quite dark inasmuch as it involves child abuse, physical, emotional and sexual as well as suicide, drug addiction and alcoholism. At times I wondered how any of the sisters and step brothers could possibly grow up to be reasonably normal. Despite this darkness, there were caring and nurturing family members, friends and teachers who loved the girls.In the beginning of the book, it was hard to decide what was going on in Ari's mind. Was she hallucinating or just imaginative and creative? It is worth continuing and seeing how Ari's character and mind develop.I know some readers don't like swearing or sex in books or don't want their children reading books like that. I don't recall any swearing. If there was, it was very little. There was some sex, but it was a small part of the total story. However, if you don't like reading dark books or don't want your children reading them, this book may not be for you.I loved the book. I loved the character development and the psychological and sociological aspects. However, I'm a retired psychologist, so this type of book appeals to me.

I have to confess, I had no reason to buy this book other than I like seahorses, I collect seahorse paraphernalia, and there was a huge red seahorse on the cover of this book. I'd never heard of the book or its author, and I had absolutely no expectations or intentions for this book, beyond displaying it face-forward on my shelves. BAM. That's the sound of a meteor-sized diamond falling on my head, because that's what ended up happening. Ten pages in, I was texting all of my bibliophile friends and e-singing this book's praises. This story is infused with so much magic and tenderness amidst heart-wrenching circumstances. The main character, Ari, is an extremely resilient, gifted, compassionate child, the kind of kid that any of us would hope to raise. However, the stand-out character for me was Len, a man who married a broken, addicted woman with six troubled daughters and became the father (and mother) these kids never had. My hat's off to Heather Tucker for writing such a remarkable book, one that I will re-read for years to come, whenever I need a reminder that good people really do exist.

What's most affecting about this book is the inner life of Ari. She loves, hopes, is disappointed, adjusts, resents, forgives, finds equilibrium, loses it, keeps going. She often comes to understand and accept someone she once hated. She somehow believes in herself, in her ability to grow, perhaps because of early experiences with her warm, creative, generous aunts. Growing for Ari means first accepting the circumstances into which she was born - pathetically selfish parents -- and the circumstances which come her way -- changing homes, schools, guardians over and over, violence, death, yet finding treasures in the dung ("crapdom") that is her life. Her saving grace is she can receive love when it's offered; in fact she soaks it up like clay absorbs water. And as water links up to other water, the love she receives from one person links her to another, until she is united in love with many others, of all ages and sexes. She builds a real, loving family for herself with her own resourcefulness. You can't help but cheer her on. And you can't help but understand, because even though her circumstances are more extreme, we've all known rejection and unkindness, change and loss. Reading Ari's story reveals a path to understanding -- and accepting -- our own.

This is an amazing debut. The story of Ari, youngest of six sisters in an extremely dysfunctional family is told slant -- in language so poetic, so allusive, so enigmatic that for the first few pages I found myself agreeing with Ari's teachers later in the book as he reads one of her stories: "I haven't a clue what half of it means but I feel it, I see it, and on some level I understand it completely."The puzzlement clears soon and it becomes obvious that Ari is telling her story in the only way she can --sideways because the full on reality is too harsh.The novel follows Ari from eight -- when her father kills himself, her mother has a breakdown, and the sisters are doled out to various relatives -- to sixteen when she has an opportunity to put into action the lessons life has taught her. During those eight years, Ari bounces between wonderful, nurturing situations and people -- and other people and situations that will test all her resilience.The beauty of the writing and the indomitable spirit of young Ari keep this book from being depressing. Horrible things happen -- but so do wonderful things.Highly, highly recommended!

I have a tendency to detect cliche and predictability in a book and instantly be turned off (and then wondering what my problem is because the book is on a top 10 list!). I was relieved to find this book was without either. This book was intriguing from the start and pulled me in to the psychological and spiritual inner world of Hariet and the dysfunction, destruction, beauty and healing of her family. I rooted deeply for some characters, and wad moved to tears more than once. I also truly hated some characters and was addicted to turning the pages in hopes of their demise. I still keep wondering (or worrying?) how certain characters are doing now after the last page was read. I consider reading this book time well spent, an indulgence for my reading soul.

Tucker’s first novel is a masterpiece of character. Ari, who is the Clay Girl, is a marvellous literary figure who grows from a confused little eight-year-old into a caring and determined teenager. Indeed, she grows into the name, Ari, given to her by her aunts as she soars like an eagle while possessing the strength of a lion.Her birth family, or at least her parents, were close to being the worst characters possible, but she meets so many other wonderful people who help to shape her into a strong young lady: her aunts, teachers, step father, and even a railroad conductor, among others.The characters that she meets share remarkable insight as in this advice early on from her aunt when Ari needed cheering: “You’re not dirt, you’re clay. Clay soaks up water and when fired becomes stronger.”When a disheartened Ari had to face returning to her mother: “Remember, Ari, there’s treasure up ahead. For now, go get your ashes.”There’s this gem of insight from a train conductor, William Walrus: “Every shining jewel comes from a crushing it never knew it could survive.”Ari does endure some crushing experiences, and in the process, becomes a shining jewel.I could go on, but you should go ahead and just read the book for yourself.

10++ A masterpiece. The author has created a magical and mystical storyworld enhanced by an exquisite use of language that I've never read before in a story. It is like a very long poem and I felt like I was floating above the ground while reading it. Like I was on a cloud. Such joyful and assured use of words, fused together to design a wonderful story seeped in sharp imagery, painting her characters with a brilliant palette. Ari is someone I want to know, I would have loved to been in her presence back in my day. A remarkable story full of intelligence, heart and hope.

The mesmerising and whimsical word associations and stream-of-consciousness connections of the book's protagonist, Ari, are like following the looping, twirling ribbon of an Olympic gymnast. So deeply immersed into her world becomes the reader that it takes a while to re-acclimatise to one's own life once the book is put down. But putting the book down is something I found myself avoiding at all costs, so heavily invested was I in Ari's efforts to untangle herself from her addict mother's desire for revenge without endangering those close to her. Although the subject matter is grave, equal space is given to love in all its forms, and Ari's irrepressible resilience and pure heart make it a tale of hope and inspiration for those in similar straits rather than a recount of survival. Uplifting and beautifully crafted, this will definitely get a re-read just for the pure pleasure of its lyrical language.

I approached the reading of this book with some trepidation. I'm related to the author.So there was a niggling fear that I might not like it and then what? Once I was past the first chapter or so I was captivated, there is so much evidence in this book of what it really means to "craft/fashion" a phrase or thought with adroit dexterous wordsmithery. Every now and then while reading I would get an "AHA!" moment and an extra shade or nuance would capture me, and cause me to pause.The bottom line is this, GREAT book, if you haven't read it you should, and I believe there is more to come in this story, I'm looking forward to it.

Although a very difficult story to read it is wonderfully written !