Christopher Currie, Clancy of the Undertow, Text Publishing, 16 Nov 2015, 288pp., $19.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925240405
We’ve started to see the re-emergence of Australian YA books located in rural and regional communities whose teenagers confront boredom, unemployment, and the temptation to slide into stagnant lives. Brisbane-based author, Christopher Currie’s aptly titled, Clancy of the Undertow, shows us these realities and a lot more – a community where everyone knows your family’s business, where a car is a symbol of social status, and where finding like-minded peers is almost impossible unless you love football and beer.
Clancy is certainly a fish out of water in fictional Barwen. Not all of her isolation is her fault. Her family’s misfortunes, including her older brother’s weird conspiracy jaunts, add to the perception of her freak stature. Clancy is also part of a nature group, inhabited by loners and losers. We see the world through Clancy’s eyes and, even though she is disillusioned by the way she’s treated (by her peers and adults alike), she doesn’t try to fit in or conform. No, she’s way too stubborn and proud for that!
The best relationship in the book is Clancy’s friendship with Reeve, the local mall security guard. Their banter is hilarious, and demonstrates their intelligence and their awareness of the banality of small-town life. The dialogue throughout the whole book actually, had me snorting. The characters rib and tease each other constantly, and it’s so Australian, it made me nostalgic for my own teenage years in a small country town.
Added to Clancy’s feeling of being an outsider is her attraction to girls, particularly the enigmatic Sacha (even her name is exotic!) But Clancy has very little time this holiday to pine. Her father becomes embroiled in a tragic road accident, and suddenly Clancy’s life is under scrutiny, and not in a good way. When small town people decide to judge your family, it’s hard to hold your head high.
From there, everything becomes (even more) complicated and messy, and Clancy’s horizons expand with the introduction of new people and situations. Apparently Nancy was a late inclusion into the novel, and the story is richer for her. Clancy’s voice is consistently strong and fearless, even while she despairs about her looks, her pathetic means of transportation, and her particularly impulsive actions.
Currie is a new voice in Australian YA publishing, and while some standard tropes are here, the tone and wit are fresh and appealing. Clancy of the Undertow offers quality writing and is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Trisha Buckley