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Overview
Fourteen-year-old Davie and his best friend, Geordie, are altar boys at their local Catholic Church. They’re full of mischief, but that all changes when Stephen Rose comes to town. Father O’Mahoney thinks it would be a good idea for Davie and Geordie to befriend him—maybe some of their good nature will rub off on this unhappy soul. But it’s Stephen who sees something special in Davie.Stephen’s a gifted sculptor. One day as Davie looks on, Stephen brings a tiny figure to life. It’s a talent he has, the gift of creation—and he knows that Davie has this talent, too. Davie allows Stephen to convince him to help bring a life-size figure to life—and Clay is born. Clay is innocent, but Stephen has special plans for him.
What has Davie helped to unleash on the world?
From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Davie and his best friend, Geordie, are altar boys at their local Catholic Church. They’re full of mischief, but that all changes when Stephen Rose comes to town. Father O’Mahoney thinks it would be a good idea for Davie and Geordie to befriend him—maybe some of their good nature will rub off on this unhappy soul. But it’s Stephen who sees something special in Davie.
Stephen’s a gifted sculptor. One day as Davie looks on, Stephen brings a tiny figure to life. It’s a talent he has, the gift of creation—and he knows that Davie has this talent, too. Davie allows Stephen to convince him to help bring a life-size figure to life—and Clay is born. Clay is innocent, but Stephen has special plans for him.
What has Davie helped to unleash on the world?
Publishers Weekly
Perhaps the most unsettling of Almond's supernatural novels (Skellig; Kit's Wilderness) this eerie tale shows the disastrous effects of two boys attempting to play God. At his priest's request, altar boy David befriends a new member of the parish, Stephen, who has come to live with his "crazy" Aunt Mary after his father dies suddenly and his mother becomes mentally ill. It becomes immediately apparent to David, who narrates, that Stephen, who has left the school where he was studying to be a priest, is different from other boys. Stephen claims to have communicated with an angel, yet questions the existence of God. He also appears to be blessed with a remarkable talent for molding figures out of clay. Most amazing of all, he possesses the ability to bring his creations to life. David raises provocative issues as he grapples with the meaning of these events ("Do you think... that an artist is a kind of God?" he asks his art teacher). Stephen believes that with David's help, he can create a life-size being that will "stand up and walk beside us and protect us." Only after the two succeed in constructing a "monster" out of clay does David discover that the act of creation can lead to destruction-and that Stephen is not what he appears to be. Almond's story contains chilling images of temptation, mind control and corruption. Readers will remain on the edge of their seats to find out if the good in David can overcome unleashed evil. Ages 12-up. (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Perhaps the most unsettling of Almond's supernatural novels (Skellig; Kit's Wilderness) this eerie tale shows the disastrous effects of two boys attempting to play God. At his priest's request, altar boy David befriends a new member of the parish, Stephen, who has come to live with his "crazy" Aunt Mary after his father dies suddenly and his mother becomes mentally ill. It becomes immediately apparent to David, who narrates, that Stephen, who has left the school where he was studying to be a priest, is different from other boys. Stephen claims to have communicated with an angel, yet questions the existence of God. He also appears to be blessed with a remarkable talent for molding figures out of clay. Most amazing of all, he possesses the ability to bring his creations to life. David raises provocative issues as he grapples with the meaning of these events ("Do you think... that an artist is a kind of God?" he asks his art teacher). Stephen believes that with David's help, he can create a life-size being that will "stand up and walk beside us and protect us." Only after the two succeed in constructing a "monster" out of clay does David discover that the act of creation can lead to destruction-and that Stephen is not what he appears to be. Almond's story contains chilling images of temptation, mind control and corruption. Readers will remain on the edge of their seats to find out if the good in David can overcome unleashed evil. Ages 12-up. (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.KLIATT -
To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2006: Altar boys Davie and Geordie are well behaved only when adults are looking; their biggest problem is Mouldy, a threatening bully, or so they think. Then Stephen Rose comes to their small village in northern England, and Davie's world abruptly changes. Stephen is a strange and disturbed boy who creates beautiful sculptures out of clay. He convinces Davie that he can bring them to life, and that Davie can, too. The two work in an abandoned garden to form a golem, a man made of clay—and then Mouldy meets his death. Is it really an accident, or is the golem—or Stephen—responsible? Is Stephen not just creepy, but truly malevolent? And has Davie also become Stephen's plaything, his creation? This spooky tale from the author of Skellig, Kit's Wilderness, and other poetic and unusual books for YAs takes on some big ideas here, including the nature of evil and of creativity. It's a powerful and provocative tale, with religious overtones, and it will haunt readers long after they finish it. Reviewer: Paula RohrlickKLIATT
Altar boys Davie and Geordie are well behaved only when adults are looking; their biggest problem is Mouldy, a threatening bully, or so they think. Then Stephen Rose comes to their small village in northern England, and Davie's world abruptly changes. Stephen is a strange and disturbed boy who creates beautiful sculptures out of clay. He convinces Davie that he can bring them to life, and that Davie can, too. The two work in an abandoned garden to form a golem, a man made of clay—and then Mouldy meets his death. Is it really an accident, or is the golem—or Stephen—responsible? Is Stephen not just creepy, but truly malevolent? And has Davie also become Stephen's plaything, his creation? This spooky tale from the author of Skellig, Kit's Wilderness, and other poetic and unusual books for YAs takes on some big ideas here, including the nature of evil and of creativity. It's a powerful and provocative tale, with religious overtones, and it will haunt readers long after they finish it. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, Random House, Delacorte, 224p., and Ages 12 to 18.—Paula Rohrlick
VOYA
This is Davie's story of the time when Stephen Rose came to town. Davie and Geordie, fourteen-year-old altar boys and best mates, are busy getting into minor scrapes, smoking the occasional stolen cigarette, and trying to avoid Mouldy, the town bully. When Stephen arrives everything changes. His father has died and his mother gone insane, so he has been sent to live with his aunt, Crazy Mary. From the start, there is something off about Stephen. But Davie makes friends with him, partly because the town priest and Mary both hope he will be a good influence. Stephen Rose believes that he has the power to create life, and eventually he persuades Davie to believe it too. Stephen creates a "monster" out of clay, and one night, together, they bring clay to life. Davie immediately runs home in terror, and the next morning he wakes to the news that Mouldy died during the night. He is wracked with guilt, fearing that Clay was involved. This dark, creepy story examines many heavy questions in a context that lends them some appeal to middle readers. Does evil exist? If one believes in God, must one believe in evil too? Does a creator look after his creation or leave it on its own? Is God looking after humankind or has he abandoned us because of our wickedness? Although this title might not have widespread appeal, fans of Almond's work will appreciate the excellent writing and the perfect portrayal of young teenage boys and their shifting alliances and worries. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Delacorte, 224p., and PLB Ages 11 to 15.—Angela Carstensen