Though the building of a physical bridge is an essential plot point, the real story is much more about the building of metaphorical bridges between family, friends, and generations. Romantic relationships feature prominently in the story, but scenes of kissing and sex are not described graphically.īRIDGE OF CLAY tells the story of the five rough-and-tumble, parentless Dunbar brothers and their struggle to raise themselves, focusing primarily on the life and hardships of the fourth boy, Clay. Rory, one of the brothers, drinks heavily at times. The five Dunbar boys are rowdy, swear a bit ('bastard,' 'f-k,' 's-t,' 'goddamn'), and frequently physically fight one another. Loss and love are the major themes, giving families much to discuss about the different ways people handle grief and tough times.

The story delves into the individual histories of many of the characters, spanning decades and unearthing family secrets. Parents need to know that Bridge of Clay, by Markus Zusak ( The Book Thief), is about five Australian boys raising themselves after their mother's death and their father's subsequent abandonment of them. Parents shown smoking cigarettes a few times.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide. Penny takes the whole family for a pint at the pub before she dies, even her underage kids. Penny and Michael have a beer or a drink a few times.

Rory is shown after heavy drinking several times.

Bridge of clay author