Clancy of the Undertow

Book excerpt: In a dead-end town like Barwen a girl only has to be a little different to feel like a freak. And Clancy, a typical sixteen-year-old misfit with a moderately dysfunctional family, a genuine interest in Nature Club and a major crush on the local hot girl, is packing a capital F. As the summer begins, Clancy's dad is involved in a road smash that kills two local teenagers. While the family is dealing with the reaction of a hostile town, Clancy meets someone who could possibly—at last—become a friend. Not only that, the unattainable Sasha starts to show what may be a romantic interest. In short, this is the summer when Clancy has to figure out who the hell she is. Christopher Currie is a writer and bookseller from Brisbane, whose fiction has appeared in anthologies and journals internationally. His first book, a novel for adults called The Ottoman Motel, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize and the Queensland Literary Awards in 2012. Clancy of the Undertow is his first novel for young adults. ‘Clancy of the Undertow is a beautiful story...It’s about the importance of fitting in or, failing that, finding someone to not fit in with.’ Books & Publishing ‘[A] starkly realist depiction of life for teenagers who feel at odds with the small towns in which they live. Clancy’s biting sense of humour will have readers laughing despite some heavy themes.’ Readings ‘Currie’s storytelling reminded me of Robert Drewe and Raymond Carver...Currie may not have consciously set out to write a YA novel—but I’m glad he found 15-year-old Clancy, and I hope he comes back to this readership who will welcome any new words from him with open arms.’ Alpha Reader ‘A beautiful cover is matched by terrific story-telling in this coming-of-age story of the smart and funny, Clancy. Funny and heartfelt and perfect for the over 15s.’ Book Birdy ‘Clancy of the Undertow demanded a slow, savoured read.’ Alpha Reader, Favourite Books of 2015 ‘A compelling coming-of-age story set in a dead-end Queensland town that’s imbued with warmth, empathy and real wit...Currie has a talent for keeping his writing real. From the dialogue to narration, Clancy of the Undertow blends the excruciation, confusion and hope of being a teenager into a novel that will pull in readers of any age.’ Guardian ‘So real it hurts...All the Aussie references are just ace.’ Dolly ‘In short, if I could, I would throw free copies of this book from the rooftops just to get them into the hands of every young adult reader in the world.’ Hazel and Wren ‘A shining example of the power of Young Adult literature...No matter what age you are, read it, it’s wonderful and engaging and I could hardly bear to put it down to go to work.’ Incredible Rambling Emily ‘A terrific YA book with lots of appeal. Clancy is a completely believable character, a smart, confused, tomboyish teenager who’s struggling to find her identity.’ Herald Sun ‘This brand spanking new Australian novel has been mentioned in hushed tones alongside adolescent stalwart To Kill a Mockingbird. A better, almost equally impressive, comparison would be Jasper Jones.’ Weekly Review ‘Christopher Currie has captured the spirit of an Australian teen struggling to find her feet within judgmental, small town prejudice.’ Diva Booknerds ‘It’s great to see a LGBT book that is also authentic in portraying small town Australian life.’ Magpies ‘Christopher Currie’s writing has already been compared to John Green...An honest portrayal rather than the glossed-over version of teenage life, friendship, family, and love.’ Bustle ‘This book is wonderfully written with beautiful characterisation and I fell in love with it.’ Reading Lark ‘This Australian import has already made waves overseas and is now coming to captivate the States—Christopher Currie's writing has already been compared to John Green, if that's any indication. It feels realistic, opting for an honest portrayal rather than the glossed-over version of teenage life, friendship, family, and love.’ Bustle ‘As soon as I picked it up, I asked myself why I’d ever waited this long to read such a realistic and moving book which will become one of the most-loved Aussie YA books of our generation...Clancy of the Undertow is brilliant in many ways, but the way Christopher Currie has captured genuine family dynamics as well as the voice of a teen who’s struggling to find her place in a small, judgmental Australian town is what makes this novel a must-read.’ Written Word Worlds ‘Currie does very well at getting inside a teenaged girl’s head, presenting an authentic voice for Clancy. As he says in the acknowledgments at the end, ‘if it helps just one person understand that being young is being confused, and that things do get better, and that none of us really know what we’re doing, then this whole process will have been worth it.’ This is what good young adult fiction can do, and this one is just that.’ The Big Book Club