Kirkus calls I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY by Beth Kander “a thoroughly engaging read”
When a lonely woman creates a golem from clay, the mythical figurine magically comes to life in the form of a hot guy who may or may not be the perfect boyfriend.
Eve is about to turn 40, and she’s just so sad. Her father died a year ago, and since then, her life has been a lonesome slog. Her job is uninspiring, her best friend’s been unavailable, the dating market’s a nightmare, and she can’t stop stress eating. Her mother is selling their family home, and her younger sister is getting married—on Eve’s birthday weekend. There’s a glimmer of hope when the cute guy who recently moved into her building reveals that, like Eve, he’s Jewish. But when “Hot Josh” seems uninterested in her, Eve’s only solace is an overly sweet bottle of kosher wine. Remembering an old Jewish legend, Eve drunkenly constructs a golem, a clay figure that’s said to come to life to protect people in need. When Eve wakes up the next morning, the golem has transformed into a full-sized, shockingly handsome, and very much living man who wants nothing more than to protect and serve Eve. The golem, whom she names Paul Mudd, seems like the answer to all her problems—a perfect companion and a plus-one for her sister’s wedding. As time passes, Eve realizes that Paul is causing more harm than good, but she’s not sure she’ll ever find happiness without him. Told from Eve’s perspective throughout, the book is captivating and witty from the get-go.The author leans into Eve’s identity as a secular American Jew, showing her family’s deep connection to their Jewish roots despite their lack of religious observance. The story also examines issues of antisemitism and generational trauma with heft and grace. Of course, the story does require a significant suspension of disbelief—Eve accepts, with barely a moment’s doubt, that the inanimate figure she molded has come to life, quickly deciding that the next logical step would be to bring him to work with her. Even so, with well-developed characters, poignant romantic humor, and brilliantly described family connections, this is still a thoroughly engaging read.
A romantic comedy so charming that its ridiculousness hardly matters.
