This beautiful book is truly a masterpiece. It delves deep into the themes of grace, selflessness, sacrifice, and the realization that certain aspects of life hold greater significance than our immediate needs.

During the Korean War, a humble couple, who were farmers and not wealthy, had to flee their home in a hurry to escape the advancing soldiers from the north. They had only a few precious moments to gather some essential items like quilts, rice, cooking and eating utensils, and load them onto a cart which the man pulled.

As they were on the run, the woman noticed a child bleeding severely from his chest by the side of the road. Without hesitation, she insisted that they stop and help the child. However, the husband resented this and even the child. The boy was extremely ill and couldn't speak, yet the woman was determined to put him in the cart.

She made desperate attempts to seek help from the US military health corps, but they callously refused. She also asked for food, only to be met with another refusal. It was only when she bravely pulled the spike from the child's chest that the US medical corps finally relented and provided assistance.

Most of us will never have to endure the extreme poverty, the heart-wrenching pain of loss, or the profound love for a child (as depicted in the book in place of the child that died). Potok, with his remarkable writing skills, vividly describes the fear, the harsh surroundings, the intense pain of loving the child, and the child's deep love for the woman. Although it is one of his shortest books, it offers a brutally realistic portrayal of what ordinary citizens have to go through during wartime.

This was an entirely character driven novel.

It mainly consisted of the inner ruminations of an elderly peasant couple in war torn Korea. Forced to flee their village in the dead of winter, they plodded forward on a perilous journey to a squalid refugee camp. Although they managed to escape bombing, their lives hung by a thread as they teetered between starvation and freezing to death.

It was not a time for compassion, not a time to take on the responsibility of another human being. However, the woman could not leave that wounded little boy in the ditch. He became their charge. The elderly couple were his salvation, but in the end, it was the boy who saved them.

The circumstances depicted in this book were dark and depressing, and the sense of plodding mirrored the harrowing journey this small family had to undertake. The writing was choppy and staccato-like, with random bursts of recollected memories of childhood and village life before the war. In this way, the reader was introduced to cultural depictions of Korean life in better times.

The Koreans had a deeply ingrained veneration for their dead ancestors, but the living were not openly affectionate towards one another, restrained by tradition and hardship. However, even within the crusty old man, the boy kindled hidden love.

"...he felt within himself a slow and torturous turning and then an opening of doors to deeper and deeper recesses inside himself, caves leading to caves, and his heart raced and he wondered if this was what was meant by the word love..."

I am always eager to read a Chaim Potok book, but this one was very different from his many works that focus on Jewish culture. Perhaps it wasn't his best work, but I found the cultural portrayals interesting and the human story heartwarming. It was a valuable addition to my understanding of the Korean war.

An American Rabbi embarks on a remarkable exploration of the Korean War.

He does so through the eyes of an old couple and a young orphan. At first glance, one might not think that such a perspective could effectively convey the horrors and complexities of war. However, to my surprise, it turned out to be first rate.

I had previously thought that it would be extremely difficult to find a bleaker work than The Road. But this account of the Korean War hits even harder. The reason is that the journey described is depressingly plausible.

It makes you vividly imagine the hardships and tragedies that people endured during that war-torn era. This is not a work for the faint-hearted. It requires the reader to have the courage to face the harsh reality. Overall, I would rate it as an A-.

It took me five long years to read it in Dutch. However, it is a magnificently tragic tale about the refugees of the Korean War.

This story is based on the author's observations while he was serving as a chaplain in Korea during that particular time. It is not an easy read by any means, and it was quite easy for me to abandon it for long periods.

Nevertheless, I am extremely glad that I finally persevered and saw it through till completion. I will definitely be delving into Potok's better-known fiction in the future.

But this particular work is an important observation of what occurs and just who endures the hardships when nations engage in war. It provides a profound insight into the human cost and the devastating consequences that war brings.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and the need to strive for understanding and resolution rather than resorting to armed conflict.

You know, I truly have a great fondness for Chaim Potok as an author. I really enjoy his writing style and the captivating stories he weaves. However, that being said, I must admit that I did not have a favorable opinion of this particular book. In this work, he seems to deviate from the familiar territory that he knows so well and delves into writing about the Korean War. While I respect his attempt to explore new themes, I firmly believe that he is at his strongest when he adheres to what he knows best, which is the rich and complex world of the Jewish religion and way of life. His previous works that centered around these aspects were truly masterpieces, and I wish he had continued in that vein rather than branching out in this direction.

The night was very dark.

There was not a single star shining in the sky, as if all the light had been swallowed up by the darkness.

The wind blew gently, rustling the leaves of the trees, adding an eerie atmosphere to the already dark night.

I walked alone on the deserted street, my footsteps echoing in the silence.

The only source of light was the occasional streetlamp, which cast a dim glow on the ground.

I could barely see a few meters ahead of me, and the darkness seemed to be closing in on me from all sides.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a sense of unease creeping up on me.

But I continued to walk forward, determined to reach my destination despite the darkness.

As I walked, I thought about how sometimes in life, we have to face the darkness and find our way through it.

And just like this dark night, there will always be a glimmer of hope waiting for us at the end.

I am a lover of Potok's books but this one didn't win me over.

Perhaps he wanted to change the narrative style to emphasize the departure from his main theme, the Orthodox Jewish-New York setting, but it didn't convince me. There are short sentences, sometimes just one word, a choppy rhythm, and a mixture of the protagonists' thoughts. I read it with difficulty, even though the topic, the war in Korea as experienced by the victims, interested me.

The story and the gradual change in the "old man's" attitude is interesting, and it's realistic that it's not total. Just like the description of the different feelings: the non-passionate but detached and yet deep affection of the "old woman" for the boy, who fills her maternal void, the boy's fear mixed with distrust, and the old man's selfishness.

But all told in a way that is too fragmented, confusing, and that I personally didn't find engaging.

Especially touching if you’ve read “The Book of Lights” also by Potok. The stories in this work intersect in a truly meaningful way. It's as if Potok weaves a complex web of characters and events, each strand delicately connected to the others. The intersections are not just random encounters but rather profound moments that shape the lives of the characters. Through these connections, we see the power of relationships and how they can bring about change and growth. The way Potok explores these intersections makes the story come alive and engages the reader on a deep emotional level. It's a testament to his skill as a writer that he can create such a rich and interconnected world.

It is truly a remarkable and highly talented author who has achieved what CP has accomplished here.

How on earth can one take something that is so completely devastating, filled with trauma, and unashamedly sad and manage to transform it into something beautiful?

This is nothing short of genius.

CP has the extraordinary ability to take the most difficult and heart-wrenching experiences and turn them into a work of art.

It is as if CP has a magical touch that can turn the darkness into light and the pain into something that is not only bearable but also captivating.

The way CP weaves the story, using words to paint a vivid picture of the emotions and experiences, is truly awe-inspiring.

It makes one wonder how such a talent can exist and how CP is able to create something so profound and moving.

Without a doubt, CP is a master of the craft and this work is a testament to their incredible talent.

It feels rather pretentious to assert that in this book, Potok flawlessly depicts war.

I have never endured the ravages of war nor witnessed the horrors endured by those who are refugees on its outskirts.

However, I can state that I believe Potok excels in leading the reader towards an individual understanding of the horror of war.

His technique of alternating perspectives renders the characters more memorable and complete, and I find this aspect quite appealing.

Nonetheless, I shall not dwell on it overly much: "Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Thou art the Potter and I am the clay."

This statement is both tragic and yet redemptive within the context of the book and its characters.

It is truly worthy of being read.

Overall, the book offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of war and its impact on individuals, with Potok's masterful storytelling and poignant themes making it a captivating read.

Whether one has personal experience of war or not, this book has the power to touch the heart and expand one's perspective on the human condition in times of conflict.

This isn't Potok's best work, but it's very good, and a nice change of pace.

I read The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev before reading this, and loved them both. However, they are very different from I am the Clay.

While those two works are both coming-of-age stories about young Jews in America, I am the Clay is about an elderly couple trying to survive the Korean War.

Potok writes movingly, and I am very glad to have discovered his works.

The way he portrays the characters and the situations they face is truly captivating.

It makes you empathize with the elderly couple and understand the hardships they endure during the war.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy reading about different cultures and historical events.

Potok's works offer a unique perspective and are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The strength of survival can be truly incredible.

There is a story of a person who endured the most harrowing experiences, all the while holding onto the hope of one day being able to live again.

It is extremely difficult to fathom how one could ever truly regain a sense of normalcy and live a fulfilling life after going through such trauma.

However, quite possibly, surviving through those tumultuous and unpredictable events can actually enable a person to live more fully in the aftermath.

This is a sad, sorrowful, and regretful story that serves as a reminder of the power of the human spirit to persevere and find meaning even in the darkest of times.

It shows that despite the pain and suffering, there is always a glimmer of hope that can lead to a new beginning and a more profound appreciation for life.