I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander ~ a Review

by MK French

Eve is single and nearing forty, stressed about work and relationships. With her younger sister's wedding coming up, she manages to make a golem to pose as her boyfriend. He's handsome and thoughtful, but her rom-com start soon takes a darker turn.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2024; MIRA; 978-0778368120
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); women's fiction

We meet Eve right before Hanukkah and her sister’s wedding, which is taking place the day before her fortieth birthday. Her father had died the year before, and he had been the emotional glue of the family. Eve at the start is the type to keep her phone off, avoid texts and calls, and minimize the extent that fear played in her life. She had been close to her father and grandmother and has few friends. It's an isolated life, and the week before the wedding and birthday throws this into sharp relief. She has few outlets, but even the connections to others are held at arm's length. It's after antisemitic aggressions show up that she built the golem, and that devolves quickly. 

The world from Eve's perspective takes on more menace, and at first, having a protector is thrilling. She feels safe but also stressed by keeping the golem's origin a secret from those closest to her. Eve has stronger connections to others than she realizes, which I really appreciated seeing in the story. The finale pushes her out of her comfort zone and puts her front and center, exactly where she hadn't wanted to be. The glimpses of this Eve were great, and very well done. I really enjoyed this story, and Eve's journey through grief and love, and working through her emotions. 

Buy I Made It Out of Clay at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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