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I Am the Clay

chaim potok

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As the Chinese and the army of the North sweep south during the Korean War, an old peasant farmer and his wife flee their village across the bleak, bombed-out landscape. They soon come upon a boy in a ditch who is wounded and unconscious. Stirred by possessiveness and caring the woman refuses to leave the boy behind. The man thinks she is crazy to nurse this boy, to risk their lives for some dying stranger. Angry and bewildered, he waits for the boy to die. And when the boy does not die, the old man begins to believe that the boy possesss a magic upon which all their lives depend....

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1992

This edition

Format
228 pages, Paperback
Published
September 10, 1997 by Ballantine Books
ISBN
9780449001127
ASIN
0449001121
Language
English

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About the author

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chaim potok

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Herman Harold Potok, or Chaim Tzvi, was born in Buffalo, New York, to Polish immigrants. He received an Orthodox Jewish education. After reading Evelyn Waugh's novel Brideshead Revisited as a teenager, he decided to become a writer. He started writing fiction at the age of 16. At age 17 he made his first submission to the magazine The Atlantic Monthly. Although it wasn't published, he received a note from the editor complimenting his work.

In 1949, at the age of 20, his stories were published in the literary magazine of Yeshiva University, which he also helped edit. In 1950, Potok graduated summa cum laude with a BA in English Literature.

After four years of study at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America he was ordained as a Conservative rabbi. He was appointed director of Leaders Training Fellowship, a youth organization affiliated with Conservative Judaism.

After receiving a master's degree in English literature, Potok enlisted with the U.S. Army as a chaplain. He served in South Korea from 1955 to 1957. He described his time in S. Korea as a transformative experience. Brought up to believe that the Jewish people were central to history and God's plans, he experienced a region where there were almost no Jews and no anti-Semitism, yet whose religious believers prayed with the same fervor that he saw in Orthodox synagogues at home.

Upon his return, he joined the faculty of the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and became the director of a Conservative Jewish summer camp affiliated with the Conservative movement, Camp Ramah. A year later he began his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and was appointed scholar-in-residence at Temple Har Zion in Philadelphia.

In 1963, he spent a year in Israel, where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on Solomon Maimon and began to write a novel.

In 1964 Potok moved to Brooklyn. He became the managing editor of the magazine Conservative Judaism and joined the faculty of the Teachers' Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary. The following year, he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society in Philadelphia and later, chairman of the publication committee. Potok received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1970, Potok relocated to Jerusalem with his family. He returned to Philadelphia in 1977. After the publication of Old Men at Midnight, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died at his home in Merion, Pennsylvania on July 23, 2002, aged 73.

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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
almost3am
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Like most of Chaim Potok's works, this story truly struck a chord with me.

It’s not one of his more renowned books, and it definitely diverges from his typical style. However, I discovered it to be profoundly meaningful.

The story progresses at a slow and steady pace, which surprisingly worked well for me. It provided the emotional moments with the space to breathe and take root.

I also appreciated how the book mirrored Potok’s own time in Korea. He served as a U.S. Army chaplain during the Korean War, and that experience evidently influenced the emotional tone and setting of the story.

It added a sense of authenticity and intimacy that I hadn't anticipated, making the story even more engaging and impactful.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this lesser-known work of Chaim Potok and would highly recommend it to others.
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LuchanHeartfilia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book is truly distinct from "The Chosen" and likely the majority of his other works, as it delves much deeper into Jewish culture.

Potok masterfully captured the tale of three Korean refugees who were ensnared in the horrors of the Korean war.

When an elderly Korean couple rescues a boy they discover lying in a ditch, they find that as they tend to him, he recovers and begins to care for them in return, bestowing upon them what they perceive as nearly "magical" powers.

It is a captivating story that intertwines love, war, and a boy's journey of growing up.

The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for anyone interested in exploring different cultures and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Potok's ability to bring this story to life on the page is a testament to his talent as a writer.

Overall, this book offers a unique and engaging perspective on a lesser-known aspect of history.
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Aarquen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What a truly sad and haunting book this is.

In war-torn Korea, we are plunged into the nightmare of fleeing during the harsh winter. There is a nameless older couple and a wounded boy they discover in a ditch.

They persevere, constantly teetering on the brink of death due to the bitter cold and starvation. There is an abundance of suffering and death, yet there is also a glimmer of hope in the end.

Chaim Potok's beautiful poetic language is truly a marvel. It works so exquisitely, painting a vivid and heart-wrenching picture in our minds.

This book has made me love Korea and Koreans even more. It has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of their history, culture, and the indomitable spirit of its people.

It is a book that will stay with me for a long time, leaving an indelible mark on my heart and soul.
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Liliubel
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Thought I'd read all Chaim Potok's books, but recently I found this one on a library shelf.

It is a significant departure from Potok's other works. Generally, he tells stories about Jews and Judaism in various forms. However, this one is about an elderly Korean couple fleeing the horrors of the Korean War.

It serves as a fascinating window into Korean culture and religion as he leads us through the painful days of their tortuous flight. They encounter a critically wounded adolescent boy, and the wife makes it her mission to save him, while the husband despises the boy and is filled with resentment.

The story is dark and grim, with little redeeming value, except for the wife's dogged determination and love in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Potok is a master storyteller, and as always, I was drawn into his narrative. It was not an enjoyable read, but it was an important one. I learned about another culture and came face to face with the dreadful and repugnant acts of war, its effects, and aftermath.

On every page, I was reminded of the desperate plight of unregenerate mankind and made acutely aware that the only answer is Jesus. People truly need the Lord.

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Isyrawr
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Chaim Potok is indeed one of my favorite authors.

Initially, I wasn't anticipating to have the same level of affection for this book as I did for his others. However, to my pleasant surprise, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.

I am truly captivated by the way he makes the readers feel deeply about his characters.

This particular story is about an elderly Korean couple who are forced to flee their village during the turmoil of the Korean War.

During their escape, they come across an injured boy. The wife, with her kind heart, insists on taking the boy along with them.

The man, on the other hand, experiences a conflicted state of mind. He goes back and forth between believing that the boy's presence is a curse and thinking that the boy might possess some mysterious magical powers.

As the story unfolds, we witness the various emotions and challenges that this unlikely trio faces, which makes for a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.
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MaskOfIce
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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"I Am the Clay" is a truly touching story that unfolds in a war-torn Korea. It centers around an old couple and a boy, all of whom are striving to survive in the midst of chaos and destruction. This book was assigned as required reading, yet I found myself enjoying it despite some reservations. The writing style, while not to my personal taste, didn't overshadow the powerful narrative. At times, the pace of the story could be a bit slow, which might have tested the patience of some readers. However, the overall themes of love, perseverance, and the human spirit in the face of adversity more than made up for these minor drawbacks. It was a thought-provoking and emotional read that left a lasting impression on me.

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Prince-Baka
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an excellent book that truly touches the heart.

It vividly showcases how a significant portion of the world exists, especially during times of war.

The exploration of human relationships and personalities within the story is both profound and engaging.

The characters come to life, and their experiences and emotions are palpable.

The book also reaches a meaningful conclusion that ties everything together beautifully.

It leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Overall, this is a very good read that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

It offers a unique perspective on life during war and the power of human connection.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally impactful book.

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snab8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Like his other books, Rabbi Potok does not fail to transport us into the world of the book.

His writing is so vivid and engaging that we can almost feel as if we are right there, experiencing the events and emotions along with the characters.

Whether it is the complex relationships within a Jewish community, the struggles of a young man coming to terms with his identity, or the exploration of religious and philosophical ideas, Potok's stories draw us in and make us care deeply about what happens.

He has a remarkable ability to bring the past to life, making us understand the historical and cultural context in which his characters live.

Through his words, we are able to gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of the human experience.

Rabbi Potok's books are not just entertainment; they are a source of inspiration and enlightenment that have the power to change our lives.
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