Clay is quite simply a beautiful book. The writing is hauntingly lyrical and the descriptions of the changing seasons are incredible. Sometimes amazing, detailed descriptions can detract from the plot, but not in this case.
The story tells us about TC, an unhappy 10 year old boy finding solace in the few wild spaces of the city. He loves nature and eventually finds a kindred spirit in Jozef, a Polish immigrant yearning for the land he used to farm, who begins to look out for the boy and pass on his wisdom about the natural world. This unlikely friendship is observed by Sophia, an old lady who has lived most of her adult life on the edge of one of the city's few green spaces and has come to understand and cherish the natural rhythms of the seasons. She is also worried about TC and encourages her sheltered grand-daughter, Daisy to play with him, despite knowing that Daisy's mother would not approve. TC and Jozef discover and delight in a great deal of unlikely wildlife in the heart of the city and observe the microscopic details of their environment with joy and wonder.
As well as being a joyous and beautiful reminder of the importance of green spaces everywhere and the difference contact with nature can make to people's lives, this book examines themes of loneliness, class and urban decay with insight and poignancy. Just fantastic.
