In her adult debut novel, Beth Kander crafts a masterful blend of magical realism, romantic comedy, and poignant family drama that defies easy categorization. I Made It Out of Clay takes the ancient Jewish legend of the golem – a protector formed from earth and animated through sacred words – and transplants it into contemporary Chicago, where it serves as both a literal plot device and a powerful metaphor for grief, isolation, and the sometimes desperate measures we take to feel safe in an unsafe world.
The Story
Eve Goodman is approaching forty, perpetually single, and still reeling from her father’s sudden death a year ago. When her younger sister’s wedding looms on the horizon (scheduled, with particularly painful timing, for Eve’s milestone birthday weekend), Eve recalls a story her Holocaust-survivor grandmother once told her about creating a golem – a magical protector made of clay. In a moment of desperation, Eve successfully creates her own golem, who takes the form of an attractive man she names Paul Mudd.
What begins as a seemingly perfect solution to her plus-one predicament quickly spirals into something far more complex and dangerous. As Eve navigates family dynamics, workplace politics, and her own unprocessed grief, her golem becomes increasingly protective – not just of her, but of all Jewish people he perceives to be under threat. The story culminates in a wedding weekend at a Jewish summer camp that brings all of Eve’s personal and supernatural challenges to a dramatic head.
Strengths
Authentic Voice and Humor
Kander’s background as a playwright shines through in her masterful dialogue and pitch-perfect comedic timing. The novel’s first-person narration through Eve’s perspective feels genuine and relatable, peppered with self-deprecating humor and cultural references that land without trying too hard. The author perfectly captures the specific anxiety of being a single woman approaching forty while juggling career pressures, family expectations, and existential dread.
Complex Character Development
While Eve’s journey forms the heart of the story, the supporting characters are equally well-drawn. Particularly noteworthy is the evolution of Eve’s relationship with her sister Rosie and mother Rena. Rather than falling into stereotypical Jewish mother-daughter dynamics, Kander gives us three distinct women processing their shared loss in different ways, slowly learning to bridge the gaps between them.
Cultural Authenticity
The Jewish elements of the story feel lived-in rather than performative. Kander weaves in Hebrew and Yiddish phrases naturally, explains religious customs without becoming didactic, and tackles contemporary issues facing Jewish Americans – from casual antisemitism to temple security concerns – with nuance and authenticity.
Room for Improvement
Pacing Inconsistencies
The novel’s first third moves somewhat slowly as Eve establishes her status quo and creates the golem. While this buildup is necessary for character development, some readers might find themselves impatient for the supernatural elements to kick into high gear.
Resolution Speed
The climactic scenes at the wedding, while thrilling, resolve rather quickly compared to the careful buildup. Some readers might wish for a more extended exploration of the aftermath and consequences of Eve’s magical experiment.
Supporting Character Arcs
While Eve’s best friend Sasha receives significant development, some other supporting characters – particularly Eve’s workplace colleagues – could have been more fully fleshed out given their importance to certain plot points.
Themes and Symbolism
Grief and Memory
The novel’s most powerful theme is its exploration of grief, particularly in Jewish tradition. The concept of “May their memory be a blessing” becomes a recurring motif, examining how we honor lost loved ones while continuing to live our own lives.
Protection vs. Control
Through the golem’s increasingly protective behavior, Kander explores the fine line between keeping loved ones safe and controlling them – a theme that resonates on both personal and societal levels.
Modern Jewish Identity
The story thoughtfully examines what it means to be Jewish in contemporary America, balancing tradition with modernity, and addressing both internal community dynamics and external threats.
Writing Style
Kander’s prose strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and literary merit. Her background in playwriting lends itself to strong scene-setting and natural dialogue flow. The author particularly excels at describing emotional states through physical sensations, making Eve’s experiences viscerally relatable to readers.
Similar Works and Context
Readers who enjoy this novel might also appreciate:
- The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
- Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg
Target Audience
I Made It Out of Clay will particularly resonate with:
- Readers interested in Jewish folklore and contemporary Jewish life
- Fans of magical realism in modern settings
- Anyone processing grief or major life transitions
- Romance readers who appreciate supernatural elements and complex family dynamics
Impact and Relevance
While the novel works perfectly well as entertainment, it also serves as a thoughtful meditation on contemporary issues including antisemitism, family dynamics in the age of social media, and the challenge of maintaining faith and community in an increasingly fractured world.
Final Verdict
Despite some minor pacing issues, Kander has created something special here – a novel that manages to be both deeply funny and profoundly moving while putting a fresh spin on ancient folklore. It’s an impressive adult debut that marks her as an author to watch.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to balance seemingly contradictory elements: humor with heartbreak, tradition with modernity, supernatural thrills with grounded emotional truth. Like its protagonist, the novel isn’t afraid to be messy, complicated, and ultimately very human.
For readers seeking a unique blend of romance, family drama, and magical realism – all grounded in authentic Jewish experience – I Made It Out of Clay offers a compelling and satisfying read that will likely stay with them long after they turn the final page.
I Made It Out of Clay is published by MIRA Books and is available in hardcover, paperback, and digital formats.